The recent tomography status using radiopharmaceuticals have been contributing greatly with the 'age of certainty' in the diagnosis examination of syndromes, pathologies and clinical signs, because they can evidence some phenomena occurring in a molecular manner. The purpose of this work have had the development of new diaminodithiol (DADT) perfusion radiopharmaceuticals to be used in brain diagnosis using S.P.E.T. (Single Photon Emission Tomography). Initially, the rational planning had been performed with the new DADT molecular structures as radiopharmaceutical candidates. Using of Q.S.A.R. (Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship) techniques, the molecular descriptors such as partition coefficient and effective polarizability, have been studied in order to increase the blood brain barrier transport and the brain uptake respectively. Applying the Q.S.P.R. (Quantitative Structure Property Relationship) concepts to perform drug latentiation, based on bio-labile functional groups, the congener DADT derivative has been transformed into a pro-drug that works as a DADT moiety carrier, allowing the increasing of brain radiopharmaceutical uptake. Later on, synthetic routes and chemical purifications have been developed allowing the creation of the proposed chemical structure. Each new DADT derivative has been synthesized and analyzed in terms of elemental analysis, infrared and NMR spectra, in order to confirm its proposed chemical structure. Then, the new derivative has been labeled with 99m Tc, radiochemically purified, intravenously injected in Swiss mice, allowing its biodistribution to evidence its brain transport and uptake. The rational planning studies have been re-evaluated after each biodistribution had been performed, to see what kind of molecular descriptor was responsible for causing a stronger optimization in the brain perfusion characteristics and then, new DADT derivatives have been prepared. Three new DADT derivatives have been obtained by using

The recent tomography status using radiopharmaceuticals have been contributing greatly with the 'age of certainty' in the diagnosis examination of syndromes, pathologies and clinical signs, because they can evidence some phenomena occurring in a molecular manner. The purpose of this work have had the development of new diaminodithiol (DADT) perfusion radiopharmaceuticals to be used in brain diagnosis using S.P.E.T. (Single Photon Emission Tomography). Initially, the rational planning had been performed with the new DADT molecular structures as radiopharmaceutical candidates. Using of Q.S.A.R. (Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship) techniques, the molecular descriptors such as partition coefficient and effective polarizability, have been studied in order to increase the blood brain barrier transport and the brain uptake respectively. Applying the Q.S.P.R. (Quantitative Structure Property Relationship) concepts to perform drug latentiation, based on bio-labile functional groups, the congener DADT derivative has been transformed into a pro-drug that works as a DADT moiety carrier, allowing the increasing of brain radiopharmaceutical uptake. Later on, synthetic routes and chemical purifications have been developed allowing the creation of the proposed chemical structure. Each new DADT derivative has been synthesized and analyzed in terms of elemental analysis, infrared and NMR spectra, in order to confirm its proposed chemical structure. Then, the new derivative has been labeled with {sup 99m}Tc, radiochemically purified, intravenously injected in Swiss mice, allowing its biodistribution to evidence its brain transport and uptake. The rational planning studies have been re-evaluated after each biodistribution had been performed, to see what kind of molecular descriptor was responsible for causing a stronger optimization in the brain perfusion characteristics and then, new DADT derivatives have been prepared. Three new DADT derivatives have been

The recent tomography status using radiopharmaceuticals have been contributing greatly with the 'age of certainty' in the diagnosis examination of syndromes, pathologies and clinical signs, because they can evidence some phenomena occurring in a molecular manner. The purpose of this work have had the development of new diaminodithiol (DADT) perfusion radiopharmaceuticals to be used in brain diagnosis using S.P.E.T. (Single Photon Emission Tomography). Initially, the rational planning had been performed with the new DADT molecular structures as radiopharmaceutical candidates. Using of Q.S.A.R. (Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship) techniques, the molecular descriptors such as partition coefficient and effective polarizability, have been studied in order to increase the blood brain barrier transport and the brain uptake respectively. Applying the Q.S.P.R. (Quantitative Structure Property Relationship) concepts to perform drug latentiation, based on bio-labile functional groups, the congener DADT derivative has been transformed into a pro-drug that works as a DADT moiety carrier, allowing the increasing of brain radiopharmaceutical uptake. Later on, synthetic routes and chemical purifications have been developed allowing the creation of the proposed chemical structure. Each new DADT derivative has been synthesized and analyzed in terms of elemental analysis, infrared and NMR spectra, in order to confirm its proposed chemical structure. Then, the new derivative has been labeled with {sup 99m}Tc, radiochemically purified, intravenously injected in Swiss mice, allowing its biodistribution to evidence its brain transport and uptake. The rational planning studies have been re-evaluated after each biodistribution had been performed, to see what kind of molecular descriptor was responsible for causing a stronger optimization in the brain perfusion characteristics and then, new DADT derivatives have been prepared. Three new DADT derivatives have been obtained by

The initial study reports the characteristic performance using lung segmental phantom filled in Tc-99m pertechnetate. To evaluate the segmental defect in lung perfusionscintigraphy, we applied Bull's-eye analysis in addition to planar image set. Bull's-eye analysis especially facilitated the interpretation in both middle and lower lobes. Subsequently, to evolute the clinical application of Bull's-eye analysis, pulmonary scintigraphy was performed on 10 normal subjects and 60 patients with several pulmonary diseases. Of interest, Bull's-eye analysis, however, encouraged the interpretation in both lower lobes. To calculate the extention and severity of perfusion defect, the present study describes Bull's-eye analysis. Quantitative scoring showed higher in patients with lung cancer than those with pulmonary tuberculosis. The present study focus that Bull's-eye analysis can be useful for evaluating perfusion in patients with a couple of pulmonary diseases. (author)

Ten patients studies for possible pulmonary embolic disease had normal lung perfusion planar and SPECT scintigraphy. A computer program was developed to superimpose the CT scans on corresponding SPECT images. Superimposition of CT scans on corresponding SPECT transaxial cross-sectional images, when available, provides the needed definition and relationships of adjacent organs. SPECT transaxial sections provide clear anatomic definition of perfusion defects without foreground and background lung tissue superimposed. The location, shape, and size of the perfusion defects can be readily assessed by SPECT. An algorithm was developed for the differentiation of abnormal pulmonary perfusion patterns from normal structures on variation

A reviewing the diagnostic methods used in the intricate process of evaluating CAD patients in a attempt to establish the role played by radionuclide methods in the diagnostic strategy is done. The perfusion cardiotropic radiopharmaceuticals used and the various methods of evaluating myocardial are discussed. Although 210 Tl-chloride is the most widely used myocardial perfusion agent, recently 99m Tc-MIBI is proposed as an alternative because of its advantages. Myocardial perfusion assessment is done by various techniques depending on the specific aim, each of them having its proper advantages and shortcomings. The inference is reached that regardless of the routine practical implementation of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy and comprehensive studies along this line in course, there are problems still not well enough clarified awaiting solution

The Tc-99m sestamibi perfusion SPECT scintigraphy in acute myocardial infarction is a feasible method to assess the size of area at risk and the residual blood flow to this area as the most important determinants of final infarct size without any delay in treatment. In combination with a follow-up study final infarct size as well as myocardial salvage can be quantified. Clinical indications for the use of Tc-99m sestamibi scintigraphy are the noninvasive identification of arterial occlusion in patients suspected to acute myocardial infarction without electrocardiographic ST-elevation and the assessment of reperfusion success. In clinical trials Tc-99m sestamibi scintigraphy has proven to be a useful method to assess the impact of varying reperfusion therapies. The present review article discusses the indication, the study protocol, the interpretation of results and the clinical and scientifically importance of this method. (orig.) [de

15 cases of primary pulmonary hypertension were classified into two groups by patterns of perfusion lung scintigraphy. Perfusion scintigrams showed multiple, small, ill-defined defects (mottled + ve) pattern in eight cases, and the remaining seven cases had a normal (mottled - ve) pattern. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure in patients with a mottled pattern (54 ± 10 mmHg) was higher than in those with a normal pattern (42 ± 9 mmHg, p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in right ventricular ejection fraction, partial pressures of oxygen in the arterial blood or alveolo-arterial oxygen difference. All the patients with a mottled pattern died within 2 years following the lung scintigraphy. There was a significant difference in the survival curves between the two groups. (author)

The standard method for the evaluation of hepatic perfusion during hepatic artery infusion (HAI) chemotherapy is planar hepatic artery perfusionscintigraphy (HAPS). Planar HAPS was performed with 2 mCi of [99mTc] macroaggregated albumin infused at 1 ml/min and compared with single photon emission CT (SPECT) HAPS and with a new study, CT performed during the slow injection of contrast material through the HAI catheter (HAI-CT). Thirteen patients underwent 16 HAI-CT studies, 14 planar HAPS studies, and 9 SPECT HAPS studies. In 13 of 14 studies (93%) HAI-CT and planar HAPS were in complete agreement as to the perfusion pattern of intrahepatic metastases and normal liver. In nine studies where all modalities were performed, the findings identified by HAI-CT and planar HAPS agreed in all cases, whereas the results of two SPECT scans disagreed with the other studies. With respect to perfusion of individual metastases, 14 of 14 HAI-CT studies, 12 of 13 planar HAPS studies, and 9 of 9 SPECT HAPS studies correctly demonstrated the perfusion status of individual lesions as indicated by the pattern of changes in tumor size determined on CT obtained before and after the perfusion studies. Hepatic artery infusion CT was superior for delineation of individual metastases, particularly small lesions, and for the evaluation of nonperfused portions of the liver. Planar HAPS detected extrahepatic perfusion in four patients, and this was not detected by HAI-CT. We conclude that HAI-CT and scintigraphy are complementary techniques. Hepatic artery infusion CT has advantages for the evaluation of intrahepatic perfusion, and planar HAPS is superior to HAI-CT for the detection of extrahepatic perfusion

Objective: Machine learning (ML) an artificial intelligence method has in last decade proved to be an useful tool in many fields of decision making, also in some fields of medicine. By reports, its decision accuracy usually exceeds the human one. Aim: To assess applicability of ML in interpretation of the stress myocardial perfusionscintigraphy results in coronary artery disease diagnostic process. Patients and methods: The 327 patient's data of planar stress myocardial perfusionscintigraphy were reevaluated in usual way. Comparing them with the results of coronary angiography the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the investigation were computed. The data were digitized and the decision procedure repeated by ML program 'Naive Bayesian classifier'. As the ML is able to simultaneously manipulate with whatever number of data, all reachable disease connected data (regarding history, habitus, risk factors, stress results) were added. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of scintigraphy were expressed in this way. The results of both decision procedures were compared. Conclusion: Using ML method, 19 more patients out of 327 (5.8%) were correctly diagnosed by stress myocardial perfusionscintigraphy. In this way ML could be an important tool for myocardial perfusionscintigraphy decision making

Purpose: To study of the effect of garlic on rabbit's lungs, with the aid of perfusionscintigraphy, after experimentally-induced pulmonary embolism. Methods: Twelve adult rabbits were anesthetized. Prepared macroaggregated albumin- technetium 99m (99mTc-MAA) radiopharmaceutical was injected into the ear vein at a ...

Lung perfusion (Tc-99m labeled albumin particles) and ventilation (Xe-133 gas) are used prior to thoracic surgery in order to evaluate changes in perfusion and ventilation due to the underlying diseases. Furthermore, perfusionscintigraphy allows combined with spirometry the prediction of the postinterventional vital capacity and the forced expiratory volume in 1 s. The correlation coefficient for this procedure compared with values measured postoperatively are in the range of 0.8. The method allows the assessment of operability in terms of postinterventional function. (orig.) [de

This guideline is a short summary of the guideline for myocardial perfusionscintigraphy published by the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Ger-many (AWMF). The purpose of this guideline is to provide practical assistance for indication and examination procedures as well as image analysis and to present the state-of-the-art of myocardial-perfusion-scintigraphy. After a short introduction on the fundamentals of imaging, precise and detailed information is given on the indications, patient preparation, stress testing, radiopharmaceuticals, examination protocols and techniques, radiation exposure, data reconstruction as well as information on visual and quantitative image analysis and interpretation. In addition possible pitfalls, artefacts and key elements of reporting are described.

Cardiac studies including myocardial perfusionscintigraphy was begun in the Singapore General Hospital, nuclear medicine department in 1983. From a few patients per year using planar imaging, we have in 1994 studied 1500 patients for myocardial perfusion, using mainly SPECT (single-photon emission computerised tomography) and radionuclides such as Thallium-201, Technetium-99m sestamibi and Tc-99m tetrofosmin. Patients have been stressed using treadmill exercise or pharmacological agents; we have used dipyridamole, and dobutamine for pharmacological stress but have no experience with intravenous adenosine

Cardiac studies including myocardial perfusionscintigraphy was begun in the Singapore General Hospital, nuclear medicine department in 1983. From a few patients per year using planar imaging, we have in 1994 studied 1500 patients for myocardial perfusion, using mainly SPECT (single-photon emission computerised tomography) and radionuclides such as Thallium-201, Technetium-99m sestamibi and Tc-99m tetrofosmin. Patients have been stressed using treadmill exercise or pharmacological agents; we have used dipyridamole, and dobutamine for pharmacological stress but have no experience with intravenous adenosine.

The myocardium perfusionscintigraphy corresponds at the nuclear medicine to one of best diagnostic methods for myocardium diseases. However, artefacts generated by the diaphragmatic tissue can induce to false positive diagnostic when does not occurs association of the image in supine position with the prone position. Images acquired at the two positions were analysed and the evaluation of tomographic images were estimation and consequently, a more completed diagnostic

The clinical value of planar thalium-201 myocardial perfusionscintigraphy was examined, using visual and quantitative analysis, for the detection of presence, localization and extent of coronary disease, using coronary arteriography as gold standard. The indremental diagnostic yield of different noninvasive tests for the diagnosis and the severity of coronary artery disease was quantified by using multivariate discriminant analysis. (author). 284 refs.; 14 figs.; 37 tabs

Nurses working in Nuclear Medicine assist in Hepatic Artery Catheter (HAC) perfusion studies. This scan is not widely performed in Australia, the St George hospital for example performs approximately five per year. The purpose of this article is firstly to review the indications and rationale of HAC patency studies. Secondly, this article will stress the clinical implications for the Nuclear Medicine Nurse during this study. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of patient education during the procedure. A brief overview of hepatic anatomy and the radiopharmaceuticals administered during the scan is discussed. Finally, a step by step protocol is presented to show how the perfusion/ shunt study is performed. Copyright (1999) The Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine Inc

Fifteen cases with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) were classified into two groups by using the perfusion lung scan pattern. Eight cases had multiple, small, ill-defined defects (mottled pattern), and remaining seven cases had no mottled pattern. These two groups were compared with mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mean PAP), right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), blood gas at room air (PaO 2 ), and alveolar-arterial O 2 difference (A-aDo 2 ). The cases with mottled pattern showed a significant increase in mean PAP. There were no significant differences in RVEF, PaO 2 , and A-aDo 2 , between the groups. The survival rate of the patients with mottled pattern was significantly lower than that without mottled pattern (p<0.05). We concluded that perfusion lung scan is very useful for evaluation of the prognosis in primary pulmonary hypertension. (author)

In 60 cases of limited pulmonary fibrosis radiospirometric investigation was performed using 133 Xe and a four-channel set. Perfusionscintigraphy was done as well after administration of labelled molecules. In all patients abnormalities were found in the results of both isotope methods suggesting presence of disturbances in the regional pulmonary functions. These disturbances included impairment of perfusion as well as ventilation, with evidence of obturation, increased volume of residual air, and decreased vital and total capasity of the lungs. These abnormalities occurred exclusively or most intensively in the areas corresponding to the location of the anatomical change, and in a considerable proportion of cases they were more extensive than the radiological changes. In about 40% of the patients in the contralateral lung diffuse changes of perfusion and ventilation were present, although much less intense, suggesting concomitant chronic obturative disease. The authors think that perfusionscintigraphy and radiospirometry owing to their value as a method of assessing pulmonary function are useful in cases of pulmonary fibrosis for establishing treatment methods and for evaluating disability to work. (author)

Lung perfusion scintigrams were reviewed retrospectively in 28 patients with congenital heart disease, whose ages ranged from the first year to 16 years with an average age of 5 years and 6 months. Seventy four MBq (2 mCi), 111 MBq (2 mCi), and 185 MBq (5 mCi) of Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin were iv injected in the age groups of 0-3, 4-11, and more than 11 years, respectively. Five minutes later, images were obtained in six projections. Abnormal findings on lung perfusion scintigrams were observed in 13 patients (46%). Of these patients, 8 (29%) had a partially decreased blood flow and 5 (17%) had a decreased blood flow in the unilateral lung. No significant difference in the occurrence of abnormal findings was observed among the age groups, although they tended to occur in younger patients. Sex, underlying conditions, and hemodynamics were also independent of scintigraphically abnormal findings. Even when classifying the patients as having either cyanotic or non-cyanotic heart disease, no significant difference in hemodynamics was observed between the group of abnormal findings and the group of normal findings. Pulmonary arteriography available in all patients failed to reveal abnormal findings, with the exception of pulmonary artery stenosis in 2 patients that corresponded to a decreased blood flow in the unilateral lung. Pulmonary artery stenosis seemed to be responsible for abnormal pulmonary blood flow, although other causes remained uncertain. (N.K.)

Since from the cardiological and cardio-surgical aspects non-invasive methods practicable in the diagnostics of regional myocardial blood perfusion are claiming priority, the myocardial perfusionscintigraphy with thallium 201 has gained more and more importance in the diagnostics of coronary heart diseases. Although radiothallium because of its nucleo-physical characteristics is not regarded as ideal radiopharmaceutical, it is at present, because of its potassium-analogue biokinetics the best radiopharmaceutical to represent the regional coronary perfusion distribution, the vitality and configuration of the heart muscle non-invasively. With careful clinical indication and under consideration of the physico-technical limitations, the informative value provided by the serial scintigraphy with thallium 201 is greater than that provided by the excercise ECG. Various possibilities for solving the problem of quantitative analysis of the myocardial scintigrams have been given. Up to the present day a standardised evaluation procedure corresponding to that of the visual scintigram interpretation has not yet found general acceptance. (orig.) [de

Background The interpretation of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) largely relies on visual assessment by the physician of the localization and extent of a perfusion defect. The aim of this study was to introduce the concept of the perfusion vector as a new objective quantitative method...

The purpose of these recommendations is to help the physicians in the realization and the interpretation of the tomo-scintigraphies of myocardium perfusion, when this examination is made at the patients having a known or suspected coronary incapacity. These recommendations aim to encourage the practitioners (of nuclear medicine) to reflect and to discuss the procedures applied in their services. These procedures must be also adapted, in every service, to the peculiarities of the environment and to the experiment of each one. (N.C.)

Research on primary broncho-pulmonary cancer has called extensively on scintigraphy and it seemed interesting to weigh up the pros and cons of the technique in this particular case. Our intention is to sum up objectively from recent documents the applications of scintigraphy in the study of primary broncho-pulmonary cancers and to attempt, on the basis of the results compiled, to show what benefits have been gained from this technique and to find out whether it has any pre-surgical value and of what kind. The technique was invariable; the tracer consists of human albumin macro-aggregates labelled with technetium 99m which by its short half-life and slight penetration enables four exposures to be taken during the same examination (front, back, right and left profiles), thus reducing the risks of mistaken diagnoses due to the use of a single incidence. Similarly the detection method was always the scintillation camera which explores the whole organ at once, considerably shortening the examination time. Lung scintigraphy by perfusion of labelled human albumin macro-aggregates offers the great advantage of being simple to use and harmless. It is easy to understand the important place it has taken in the range of methods available for lung circulation exploration [fr

Dobutamine as a predominant beta-1 agonist increases heart rate and myocardial contractility and at sufficient high doses, it also increases systolic blood pressure. This study was undertaken to describe instances of paradoxical hypotension during dobutamine infusion for Tl-201 myocardial perfusion SPECT study and the relationship between scintigraphic findings and hypotension occurred during dobutamine infusion. Methods: In 201 consecutive patients unable to perform adequate exercise, dobutamine Tl-201 myocardial SPECT was performed. Dobutamine was infused starting from 10 μg/kg/min increasing to 40 μ/kg/min. Paradoxical hypotension was defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure ≥ 20 mmHg compared with baseline study. Paradoxical hypotension was observed in 40 patients (Group A) out of 201 (19.9%) while no significant change in systolic blood pressure was detected in the remaining 161 patients (Group B). Mean maximum fall in systolic blood pressure was 39±18 mmHg (range: 20-90). In 33 of 40 patients (83%) with paradoxical hypotension, scintigraphy was normal compared to 131 (81%) of the remaining 161 patients. In patients of Group A, angiography, echocardiography and tilt table tests were performed in 13, 11 and 6 patients respectively. Nine of 13 angiographic evaluations (69%), 10 of 11 echocardiographic evaluations (91%), all of the tilt table tests were normal. Additionally, all of the patients of Group A were clinically followed up at least 6 months after the myocardial perfusionscintigraphy. None of the patients had a cardiac event except one patient during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Paradoxical hypotension during dobutamine infusion for myocardial scintigraphy is not an uncommon finding and up to 19.9% patients may develop such hypotension. To maximize test safety, precautions should be taken during dobutamine myocardial stress test, since remarkable decrease in systolic blood pressure may occur. Unlike hypotension occurring with exercise

Full Text Available Aim: Coronary artery disease (CAD is one of the most frequent causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Coronary angiography is the gold standard for the anatomical diagnosis of coronary artery stenosis. Myocardial PerfusionScintigraphy (MPS is a non-invasive imaging modality used for the diagnosis of CAD. In this study, we aimed to compare the findings of MPS and coronary angiogram. Material and Method: Eighty-one patients (37 males, 44 females; mean age 55 ± 10.95 years with angina and detected perfusion defects on MPS were included in this study. All of the patients underwent coronary angiogram. A narrowing %u2265 50% was considered pathological on the coronary angiography. Results: Findings of the coronary angiogram and MPS were compared and found consistent in 51 (63% patients. A coronary narrowing < 50% was detected by coronary angiogram in 4 (5% of the remaining patients. Coronary angiogram was found to be normal in the remaining 26 patients (32% and these patients were evaluated as cardiac syndrome X (CSX known as microvascular angina (MA. Discussion: The findings showed that MPS is superior to coronary angiogram in the early diagnosis of myocardial perfusion disorders at the microvascular level. Therefore, we concluded that MPS should be the primary diagnostic tool to begin treatment before an anatomically large narrowing occurs in the coronaries.

75 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and 106 patients with bronchopulmonary diseases whose chest x-rays showed diffuse shadows were studied. Pulmonary scintigraphy using 197 HgCl 2 was useful for the diagnosis of the localization and the activity of pulmonary tuberculosis, because 197 HgCl 2 readily accumulated in the foci, and its accumulation rate was related to the activity of the foci. 197 HgCl 2 also accumulated markedly in foci of pneumoconiosis, especially, in areas showing large shadows and foci suspected to be tuberculosis. 197 HgCl 2 also accumulated in areas of chronic bronchitis, diffuse interstitial pneumonia and bronchiectasis. Its accumulation was considered to have a relation to the activity of inflammation. In primary pulmonary carcinoma, 197 HgCl 2 accumulated most markedly, in the primary lesions. 197 HgCl 2 also accumulated in metastatic or invasion areas of the hilus and the mediastinum. It accumulated in intrapulmonary metastatic foci of pulmonary carcinoma and multiple metastatic pulmonary tumors, but it was difficult to differentiate these diseases from other pulmonary diseases. In selected cases, it was useful to use pulmonary scintigraphy using 197 HgCl 2 together with pulmonary perfusionscintigraphy for the diagnosis of diffuse bronchopulmonary diseases. (Tsunoda, M.)

Purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of dual energy CT in the assessment of pulmonary perfusion with reference to pulmonary perfusionscintigraphy. Thirteen patients received both dual energy CT (DECT) angiography (Somatom Definition, Siemens) and ventilation/perfusionscintigraphy. Median time between scans was 3 days (range, 0-90). DECT perfusion maps were generated based on the spectral properties of iodine. Two blinded observes assessed DECT angiograms, perfusion maps and scintigrams for presence and location of perfusion defects. The results were compared by patient and by segment, and diagnostic accuracy of DECT perfusion imaging was calculated regarding scintigraphy as standard of reference. Diagnostic accuracy per patient showed 75% sensitivity, 80% specificity and a negative predictive value of 66%. Sensitivity per segment amounted to 83% with 99% specificity, with 93% negative predictive value. Peripheral parts of the lungs were not completely covered by the 80 kVp detector in 85% of patients. CTA identified corresponding emboli in 66% of patients with concordant perfusion defects in DECT and scintigraphy. Dual energy CT perfusion imaging is able to display pulmonary perfusion defects with good agreement to scintigraphic findings. DECT can provide a pulmonary CT angiogram, high-resolution morphology of the lung parenchyma and perfusion information in one single exam.

Purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of dual energy CT in the assessment of pulmonary perfusion with reference to pulmonary perfusionscintigraphy. Thirteen patients received both dual energy CT (DECT) angiography (Somatom Definition, Siemens) and ventilation/perfusionscintigraphy. Median time between scans was 3 days (range, 0-90). DECT perfusion maps were generated based on the spectral properties of iodine. Two blinded observes assessed DECT angiograms, perfusion maps and scintigrams for presence and location of perfusion defects. The results were compared by patient and by segment, and diagnostic accuracy of DECT perfusion imaging was calculated regarding scintigraphy as standard of reference. Diagnostic accuracy per patient showed 75% sensitivity, 80% specificity and a negative predictive value of 66%. Sensitivity per segment amounted to 83% with 99% specificity, with 93% negative predictive value. Peripheral parts of the lungs were not completely covered by the 80 kVp detector in 85% of patients. CTA identified corresponding emboli in 66% of patients with concordant perfusion defects in DECT and scintigraphy. Dual energy CT perfusion imaging is able to display pulmonary perfusion defects with good agreement to scintigraphic findings. DECT can provide a pulmonary CT angiogram, high-resolution morphology of the lung parenchyma and perfusion information in one single exam

Economic pressure, competition from alternative modalities and an increasing awareness of patient radiation exposure have triggered a rapid development of novel technology for cardiac single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in recent years. The trend clearly goes towards systems with higher sensitivity and resolution, and towards faster acquisition protocols. Those goals are achieved by various measures: On the one hand, several manufacturers have integrated novel semiconductor detector materials together with innovative collimators into dedicated cardiac scanners. On the other hand, new collimators and reconstruction algorithms have lead to increased speed and accuracy of conventional gamma cameras. Imaging times now can be reduced to as much as 10% of that of previous standard protocols, and/or injected activity can be reduced. This is achieved without loss of diagnostic accuracy. These novel developments are still in early phases of clinical implementation. Their potential for a profound change of the clinical practice of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy, however, becomes increasingly obvious. (orig.)

In 45 patients with ischemic heart disease the results obtained by myocardial scintigraphy using technetium-99m diphosphonate (Tc-99m-DP) were compared with those obtained at selective coronary angiography and selective coronary perfusionscintigraphy. The cumulation of activity in the heart muscle was seen in twelve patients. This group is analyzed in the present paper in more detail. The ventriculographic examination of the left ventricle showed disturbed motility of the wall in six patients, of whom five had a positive myocardial scintigram. In view of this, myocardial scintigraphy using Tc-99m-DP may be considered a complementary, non-invasive method for proving significant disturbances of the motility of the heart wall. Positive myocardial scintigrams were also found in angna pectoris, in a patient after aorto-coronary bypass, in cardiomyopathy and myocarditis. In view of the fact that myocardial scintigraphy using Tc-99m-DP is capable of proving disturbances of cells of the heart muscle taking place at the moment, conclusions can be drawn as to the activity in the heart muscle. It further follows that myocardial scintigraphy may be significant in indicating the aorto-coronary bypass. We failed to prove an unequivocal correlation between myocardial scintigraphy, the number of sclerotically changed coronary vessels and the degree of their narrowing. An immediate relationship could not be proved between the extent of perfusion disturbance and the results of myocardial scintigraphy

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a computer-based decision support system (DSS) on performance and inter-observer variability of interpretations regarding ischaemia and infarction in myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS).......The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a computer-based decision support system (DSS) on performance and inter-observer variability of interpretations regarding ischaemia and infarction in myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS)....

Aim: The clinical impact of perfusionscintigraphy versus color coded Duplex sonography was evaluated, with respect to their potential in assessing minimal allograft perfusion in vitally threatened kidney transplants, i.e. oligoanuric allografts suspected to have either severe rejection or thrombosis of the renal vein or artery. Methods: From July 1990 to August 1994 the grafts of 15 out of a total of 315 patients were vitally threatened. Technetium-99m DTPA scintigraphy and color coded Duplex sonography were performed in all patients. For scintigraphic evaluation of transplant perfusion analog scans up to 60 min postinjection, and time-activity curves over the first 60 sec after injection of 370-440 MBq Tc-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetate acid (DTPA) were used and classified by a perfusion score, the time between renal and iliac artery peaks (TDiff) and the washout of the renogram curve. Additionally, evaluation of excretion function and assessment of vascular or urinary leaks were performed. By color coded Duplex sonography the perfusion in all sections of the graft as well as the vascular anastomoses were examined and the maximal blood flow velocity (Vmax) and the resistive index (RI) in the renal artery were determined by means of the pulsed Doppler device. Pathologic-anatomical diagnosis was achieved by either biopsy or post-explant histology in all grafts. Results: Scintigraphy and color coded Duplex sonography could reliably differentiate minimal (8/15) and not perfused (7/15) renal allografts. The results were confirmed either by angiography in digital subtraction technique (DSA) or the clinical follow up. Conclusion: In summary, perfusionscintigraphy and color coded Duplex sonography are comparable modalities to assess kidney graft perfusion. In clinical practice scintigraphy and colorcoded Doppler sonography can replace digital subtraction angiography in the evaluation of minimal allograft perfusion. (orig.) [de

We investigated retrospectively the clinical significance of large perfusion defect on 201 Thallium myocardial scintigraphy from the records of 833 patients during the past 3 years from 1991 to 1994. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the extent of perfusion defect; cases with normal perfusion (n=561), with small perfusion defect (n=211) and with large perfusion defect (n=61). We found that the proportions of cases with large perfusion defect was significantly larger than that of cases with small perfusion defect in myocardial disease (MD; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and post myocarditis combined) (P 201 Thallium myocardial scintigraphy and that complication of diabetes mellitus and clinical symptoms may be useful in differentiating IHD from MD. (author)

OBJECTIVESWe wanted to evaluate whether preoperative myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) could predict changes in cardiac symptoms and postoperative myocardial perfusion and left ventricular function after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).METHODSNinety-two patients with stable angina...... in 26%. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), which was normal before operation in 45%, improved in 40% of all patients. The increase in LVEF was not related to the preoperative pattern of perfusion defects. Of 30 patients with normalized perfusion after CABG, 29 (97%) had reversible defects...... that reversible or partly reversible perfusion defects at a preoperative MPS have a high chance of normalized myocardial perfusion assessed by MPS 6 months after operation. Normal perfusion is obtained almost exclusively in territories with reversible ischaemia. Symptoms improved in nearly all patients and LVEF...

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) perfusion and angiography versus ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), and to assess the per-segment concordance rate of DECT and scintigraphy. Forty consecutive patients with proven pulmonary hypertension underwent V/Q scintigraphy and DECT perfusion and angiography. Each imaging technique was assessed for the location of segmental defects. Diagnosis of CTEPH was established when at least one segmental perfusion defect was detected by scintigraphy. Diagnostic accuracy of DECT perfusion and angiography was assessed and compared with scintigraphy. In CTEPH patients, the per-segment concordance between scintigraphy and DECT perfusion/angiography was calculated. Fourteen patients were diagnosed with CTEPH and 26 with other aetiologies. DECT perfusion and angiography correctly identified all CTEPH patients with sensitivity/specificity values of 1/0.92 and 1/0.93, respectively. At a segmental level, DECT perfusion showed moderate agreement (κ = 0.44) with scintigraphy. Agreement between CT angiography and scintigraphy ranged from fair (κ = 0.31) to slight (κ = 0.09) depending on whether completely or partially occlusive patterns were considered, respectively. Both DECT perfusion and angiography show satisfactory performance for the diagnosis of CTEPH. DECT perfusion is more accurate than angiography at identifying the segmental location of abnormalities. (orig.)

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) perfusion and angiography versus ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), and to assess the per-segment concordance rate of DECT and scintigraphy. Forty consecutive patients with proven pulmonary hypertension underwent V/Q scintigraphy and DECT perfusion and angiography. Each imaging technique was assessed for the location of segmental defects. Diagnosis of CTEPH was established when at least one segmental perfusion defect was detected by scintigraphy. Diagnostic accuracy of DECT perfusion and angiography was assessed and compared with scintigraphy. In CTEPH patients, the per-segment concordance between scintigraphy and DECT perfusion/angiography was calculated. Fourteen patients were diagnosed with CTEPH and 26 with other aetiologies. DECT perfusion and angiography correctly identified all CTEPH patients with sensitivity/specificity values of 1/0.92 and 1/0.93, respectively. At a segmental level, DECT perfusion showed moderate agreement (κ = 0.44) with scintigraphy. Agreement between CT angiography and scintigraphy ranged from fair (κ = 0.31) to slight (κ = 0.09) depending on whether completely or partially occlusive patterns were considered, respectively. Both DECT perfusion and angiography show satisfactory performance for the diagnosis of CTEPH. DECT perfusion is more accurate than angiography at identifying the segmental location of abnormalities. (orig.)

Appropriateness Criteria for nuclear imaging exams were created by American College of Cardiology (ACC) e American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) to allow the rational use of tests. Little is known whether these criteria have been followed in clinical practice. To evaluate whether the medical applications of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) in a private nuclear medicine service of a tertiary cardiology hospital were suitable to the criteria of indications proposed by the American medical societies in 2005 and 2009 and compare the level of indication of both. We included records of 383 patients that underwent MPS, November 2008 up to February 2009. Demographic characteristics, patient's origin, coronary risk factors, time of medical graduation and appropriateness criteria of medical applications were studied. The criteria were evaluated by two independent physicians and, in doubtful cases, defined by a medical expert in MPS. Mean age was 65 ± 12 years. Of the 367 records reviewed, 236 (64.3%) studies were performed in men and 75 (20.4%) were internee. To ACC 2005, 255 (69.5%) were considered appropriate indication and 13 (3.5%) inappropriate. With ACC 2009, 249 (67.8%) were considered appropriate indications and 13 (5.2%) inappropriate. We observed a high rate of adequacy of medical indications for MPS. Compared to the 2005 version, 2009 did not change the results.

sup(99m)Tc labelled microspheres were injected in the A. brachialis in addition to angiography of the hand in 15 patients. The hereby obtained results show good correlation between angiography and scintigraphy. The completely normal perfusion scintigram of the hand allows to dispense with angiography. The pathological scan, however, requires angiography. Perfusionscintigraphy of the hand seems to be most useful in the follow-up of therapeutic effects in perfusion disturbances.

Full text: Machine learning (ML) as rapidly growing artificial intelligence subfield has already proven in last decade to be a useful tool in many fields of decision making, also in some fields of medicine. Its decision accuracy usually exceeds the human one. To assess applicability of ML in interpretation the results of stress myocardial perfusionscintigraphy for CAD diagnosis. The 327 patient's data of planar stress myocardial perfusionscintigraphy were reevaluated in usual way. Comparing them with the results of coronary angiography the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the investigation was computed. The data were digitized and the decision procedure repeated by ML program 'Naive Bayesian classifier'. As the ML is able to simultaneously manipulate of whatever number of data, all reachable disease connected data (regarding history, habitus, risk factors, stress results) were added. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for scintigraphy were expressed in this way. The results of both decision procedures were compared. With ML method 19 patients more out of 327 (5.8 %) were correctly diagnosed by stress myocardial perfusionscintigraphy. ML could be an important tool for decision making in myocardial perfusionscintigraphy. (author)

Perfusionscintigraphy of the heart muscle with Tl 201 was tested in the diagnosis of overloading of the right ventricle in a group of 24 patients with chronic pulmonary disease and in a group of 26 patients with mitral stenosis only. The results of scintigraphy of the heart muscle and ECG examination were compared with results of the examination of haemodynamics of the lesser circulation, blood gases and spirometric examination. The study shows that thallium scintigraphy is a fairly sensitive method for noninvasive diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension. It is an auxiliary method and its validity increases when combined with other noninvasive methods. (author)

We treated 13 patients for femoral neck fracture. They consisted of 2 males and 11 females, and were classified according to Garden stage classification; Stage I, 3 cases; Stage II, 2 cases; Stage III, 2 cases; Stage IV, 4 cases. Two trochanteric fracture cases were used by control. We evaluated perfusion of the femoral head after femoral neck fracture using bone scintigraphy, which is considered useful for evaluation of perfusion of the femoral neck before operation. (author)

We treated 13 patients for femoral neck fracture. They consisted of 2 males and 11 females, and were classified according to Garden stage classification; Stage I, 3 cases; Stage II, 2 cases; Stage III, 2 cases; Stage IV, 4 cases. Two trochanteric fracture cases were used by control. We evaluated perfusion of the femoral head after femoral neck fracture using bone scintigraphy, which is considered useful for evaluation of perfusion of the femoral neck before operation. (author)

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of death and disability. Several diagnostic tests, such as myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS), are accurate for the detection of CAD, as well as having prognostic value for the prediction of cardiovascular events. Nevertheless, the diagnostic and

Mortality rates due to coronary arterial disease (CAD) have declined as result of improved prevention, diagnosis and management, but CAD remains the leading cause of death. Myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) provides a cost-effective tool for early detection of CAD in symptomatic individuals...

AIM: The aim of this study was to correlate findings of perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and perfusionscintigraphy in cases where there was a suspicion of abnormal pulmonary vasculature, and to evaluate the usefulness of MRI in the detection of perfusion deficits of the lung. METHODS: In all, 17 patients with suspected abnormality of the pulmonary vasculature underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. T1-weighted 3D fast-field echo pulse sequences were obtained (TR/TE 3.3/1.58 ms; flip angle 30 deg ; slice thickness 12 to 15 mm). The dynamic study was acquired in the coronal plane following administration of 0.1 mmol/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine. A total of 8 to 10 sections repeated 20 to 25 times at intervals of 1 s were performed. Perfusion lung scintigraphy was carried out a maximum of 48 h before the MR examination in all cases. Two radiologists, who were blinded to the clinical data and results of other imaging methods, reviewed all coronal sections. MR perfusion images were independently assessed in terms of segmental or lobar perfusion defects in the 85 lobes of the 17 individuals, and the findings were compared with the results of scintigraphy. RESULTS: Of the 17 patients, 8 were found to have pulmonary emboli, 2 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with emphysema, 2 bullous emphysema, 2 Takayasu arteritis and 1 had a hypoplastic pulmonary artery. Pulmonary perfusion was completely normal in 2 cases. In 35 lobes, perfusion defects were detected using both methods, in 4 with MR alone and in 9 only with scintigraphy. There was good agreement between MRI and scintigraphy findings (kappa=0.695). CONCLUSION: Pulmonary perfusion MRI is a new alternative to scintigraphy in the evaluation of pulmonary perfusion for various lung disorders. In addition, this technique allows measurement and quantification of pulmonary perfusion abnormalities

Aim: The clinical impact of perfusionscintigraphy versus color coded Duplex sonography was evaluated, with respect to their potential in assessing minimal allograft perfusion in vitally threatened kidney transplants, i.e. oligoanuric allografts suspected to have either severe rejection or thrombosis of the renal vein or artery. Methods: From July 1990 to August 1994 the grafts of 15 out of a total of 315 patients were vitally threatened. Technetium-99m DTPA scintigraphy and color coded Duplex sonography were performed in all patients. For scintigraphic evaluation of transplant perfusion analog scans up to 60 min postinjection, and time-activity curves over the first 60 sec after injection of 370-440 MBq Tc-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetate acid (DTPA) were used and classified by a perfusion score, the time between renal and iliac artery peaks (TDiff) and the washout of the renogram curve. Additionally, evaluation of excretion function and assessment of vascular or urinary leaks were performed. By color coded Duplex sonography the perfusion in all sections of the graft as well as the vascular anastomoses were examined and the maximal blood flow velocity (Vmax) and the resistive index (RI) in the renal artery were determined by means of the pulsed Doppler device. Pathologic-anatomical diagnosis was achieved by either biopsy or post-explant histology in all grafts. Results: Scintigraphy and color coded Duplex sonography could reliably differentiate minimal (8/15) and not perfused (7/15) renal allografts. The results were confirmed either by angiography in digital subtraction technique (DSA) or the clinical follow up. Conclusion: In summary, perfusionscintigraphy and color coded Duplex sonography are comparable modalities to assess kidney graft perfusion. In clinical practice scintigraphy and colorcoded Doppler sonography can replace digital subtraction angiography in the evaluation of minimal allograft perfusion. (orig.) [Deutsch] Ziel der Studie war es, das

Volume lung reduction surgery (LVRS) improves lung function and physical tolerance for selected patients with severe pulmonary emphysema by making conditions for developing of the vital parenchyma so far compressed by the emphysema blisters. The aim of this study was to establish the comparative functional information obtained from REST/STRESS lung perfusion tomoscintigraphies for identification of non functional lung tissue. Eleven patients (8 males and 3 females at age 41-60) were examined by two lung perfusions SPECT scintigraphies after intravenous application of 222 MBq 99m Tc-MAA: 1. after 30 min. lying rest and 2. 48 hours later after 6 min. walk test. Comparing the two scintigraphies the following changes in perfusion performance have been established at STRESS examination: increased at six patients (significant at three and slight also at three) and decreased at two. There was no difference between REST and STRESS examinations at 3 patients. Comparative REST/STRESS lung perfusionscintigraphy is important method for screening severe pulmonary patients for LVRS. (author)

Pulmonary ventilation and perfusion scan using Xe-133 gas and Tc-99m MAA were performed in 18 patients with bronchial asthma to evaluate the regional pulmonary function. The scintigraphic findings were compared with the results of the auscultation and the conventional pulmonary functioning examination (%FVC, %FEV 1.0 ). Ventilation image showed abnormality in 12 (70.6%) out of the asymptomatic 17 patients and perfusion image showed abnormality in 7 (41.2%) out of 17 patients. These 7 patients with abnormality on perfusion image all showed abnormality on ventilation image. The grade of abnormality in scintigraphic findings was compatible with the values of %FVC and %FEV 1.0 . In conclusion Xe-133 ventilation and Tc-99m MAA perfusion scan were useful procedures to estimate the pulmonary function of patients with bronchial asthma. (author)

201 Tl perfusionscintigraphy for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease was carried out in 25 patients of mean age years, presenting with chest pain. Scintiscan were obtained at rest and after exercise and were compared with ECG studies at rest and after exercise. In all patients with previous myocardial infarctions, perfusion defects were present at rest, two of these patients showed abnormal stress scintigraphy consistent with a new ischemic response which was not detected by the stress ECG. In 3 out of the 8 patients with normal ECG, in 2 out of the 4 patients with response suggesting ischemia and in 4 out of the 7 patients with definite ECG proof of ischemia infarction was detected by 201 Tl. In all the previous, resting and exercise ECG failed to show evidence of infarction.1 fig.,2 tab

Technetium-labeled agents, which are most often used for assessing myocardial perfusion in myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS), are cleared by the liver and excreted by the biliary system. Spillover from extra-cardiac activity into the myocardium, especially the inferior wall, might conceal d...... defects and lower the diagnostic accuracy of the study. The objective was to determine rules of thumb for when reacquisition is useful due to high extra-cardiac uptake, i.e., when interpretation of the studies was affected by poor image quality....

The authors report that changes in the distribution of pulmonary perfusion caused by gravitation effect, namely, changes in the total count ratios of the right against the left lung between right and left lateral decubitus positions (rt/lt) could estimate pulmonary hypertension using lung perfusionscintigraphy with 99m Tc-labelled macroaggregated albumin. The results showed: rt/lt was inversely related to mean pulmonary arterial pressure. It is concluded that the method is simple, safe, reproducible, unaffected by cardiac structural abnormality and valuable as a noninvasive approach for the estimation of pulmonary hypertension

Objective: To investigate the clinical diagnostic value of ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy combined with plasma D-dimer assay in diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods: One hundred and four patients with clinically suspected PE underwent both pulmonary ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy and plasma D-dimer assay. According to the criteria of prospective investigation of the pulmonary embolism diagnosis (PIOPED), ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy was interpreted as normal, very low or low probability of PE, intermediate probability of PE and high probability of PE. High probability was considered as positive; normal and very low or low probability as negative and intermediate probability as non-diagnostic. Plasma D-dimer levels were measured using a quantitative immunoturbidimetric method, and a cut-off value of 500 mg/L was used in the diagnosis of PE. Clinical diagnostic value of ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy, D-dimer assay and combined use of ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy and D-dimer assay for diagnosing PE was evaluated, respectively, comparing with the final clinical diagnosis that was based on the clinical findings. Results: Among the 104 patients, 44 were diagnosed with PE and 60 were excluded. Ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy provided diagnostic interpretations for 86 (82.7%) patients, and non-diagnostic interpretations for 18 (17.3%) patients. For diagnosing PE, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy was 84.1%, 75.0%, 78.8%, 71.2% and 86.5%, respectively, and with D-dimer assay was 93.2%, 60.0%, 74.0%, 63.1% and 92.3%, respectively. If a plasma D-dimer level of < 500 mg/L was taken as a criterion to exclude PE for those intermediate probability of ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy, the diagnostic specificity and accuracy would be raised to 85.0% and 84.6%, respectively. Conclusions: When a non-diagnostic interpretation was occurred on

Patients with suspected pulmonary embolism often receive heparin therapy for hours to days before ventilation/perfusionscintigraphy is completed. We assessed to what extent the lung scan classification and pulmonary vascular perfusion changed over a period of 2-4 days of full anticoagulant therapy.

Objective. The objectives of this study were to analyze the changes in pulmonary perfusion in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and to assess the advantages of this method in evaluating the severity of BPD. Patients and methods. The study group was made up of 10 children with BPD, matched with a control group of 12 children. The criteria for matching were birth weight, gestational age and need for ventilation for more than 3 days. Clinical and roentgenographic scoring systems were applied on the 21st day of life. At 6 months of corrected age, clinical evolutive severity was evaluated and a pulmonary perfusionscintigraphy using technetium-99 was performed in each child. The scintigraphic findings were classified in five categories ranging from normal to severely affected, depending on the degree and localization of perfusion abnormalities. Another score was obtained by assigning a value from 1 to 5 to each pulmonary lobe, depending on the concentration of the tracer. Results. The study of clinical, roentgenographic and evolutive scores always showed higher values in children with BPD, with good correlation between methods (P < 0.001). In the BPD group, abnormal lung perfusion patterns were more frequent and more severe (P < 0.05), the lobe scoring was higher (P < 0.05), and a lower count rate was found (P < 0.01). Conclusion. Pulmonary scintigraphy is a useful technique in evaluating the severity of BPD. (orig.). With 1 fig., 3 tabs.

Objective. The objectives of this study were to analyze the changes in pulmonary perfusion in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and to assess the advantages of this method in evaluating the severity of BPD. Patients and methods. The study group was made up of 10 children with BPD, matched with a control group of 12 children. The criteria for matching were birth weight, gestational age and need for ventilation for more than 3 days. Clinical and roentgenographic scoring systems were applied on the 21st day of life. At 6 months of corrected age, clinical evolutive severity was evaluated and a pulmonary perfusionscintigraphy using technetium-99 was performed in each child. The scintigraphic findings were classified in five categories ranging from normal to severely affected, depending on the degree and localization of perfusion abnormalities. Another score was obtained by assigning a value from 1 to 5 to each pulmonary lobe, depending on the concentration of the tracer. Results. The study of clinical, roentgenographic and evolutive scores always showed higher values in children with BPD, with good correlation between methods (P < 0.001). In the BPD group, abnormal lung perfusion patterns were more frequent and more severe (P < 0.05), the lobe scoring was higher (P < 0.05), and a lower count rate was found (P < 0.01). Conclusion. Pulmonary scintigraphy is a useful technique in evaluating the severity of BPD. (orig.). With 1 fig., 3 tabs

We measured the radioactivity on patient's upper and lower garments, towels, broad sashes for the bust, and electrodes contaminated by sweat due to exercise 201 Tl myocardial perfusionscintigraphy. In measuring activity, a scintillation survey meter adjusted to the energy of 201 Tl was used. In measuring the radioactivity of clothing, more than 4 Bq/cm 2 was considered to be a significant level of contamination. We detected contamination in 30% of upper garments and towels, 19% of broad sashes, 8% of lower garments and 4% of electrodes. Among these materials, several items of clothing and other items showed contamination exceeding 40 Bq/cm 2 . Towels were remarkably contaminated, with one towel showing a maximum contamination level of 420 Bq/cm 2 . Examinations done by exercise 201 Tl myocardial perfusionscintigraphy often result in the contamination of clothing and other items through sweating. This contamination is especially common in summer, particularly in upper garments and towels. The contamination ratio for towels was over 50%. The contamination ratio increased as the level of exercise became more difficult. When the exercise load was more than 100 W, the contamination ratio was 50%. In cases of extreme contamination, images of contaminated upper garments could be obtained by the scintigraphy camera. The areas of high activity on the images seemed to correspond to areas of the body where sweating was profuse. Based on these results, we should pay close attention to the handling of clothing and other items used in exercise testing by 201 Tl myocardial perfusionscintigraphy and the points used in measuring contaminated clothing and other items after testing. (author)

The usefulness of stress 201 Tl myocardial scintigraphy for identifying left main coronary artery disease was evaluated with data from 23 patients with 50% or more narrowing of the left main coronary artery and 56 patients with 75% or more narrowing of the major coronary arteries but without left main coronary artery involvement (no left main coronary artery disease). Quantitative evaluation of stress perfusion scintigrams in all five patients with narrowing of the left main coronary artery of 90% or more showed a characteristic perfusion pattern (left main pattern) of extensive homogeneous defect over the whole anterolateral segment and simultaneous defects in all radii of the high anteroseptal and high posterolateral segments. On the other hand, such a perfusion pattern was noted in only 1 of 18 patients with less than 90% stenosis of the left main coronary artery and in only 1 of 56 patients with no left coronary artery disease. (orig.)

Hepatic arterial perfusionscintigraphy with '9 9m Tc macroggregated albumin (HAPS) study was carried out in 16 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and in six patients without liver tumor to evaluate HAPS findings of hepatocellular carcinoma and use fullness of HAPS. HAPS with planar and SPECT study were performed in 22 patients after conventional hepatic or celiac arteriography. For HAPS study, 4 5 mCi of MAA mixed with 2 ml of saline was injected into proper hepatic artery or its distal branches at the rate of approximately 1 ml/sec. We analysed 21 HCCs over 2 cm in diameter(average diameter: 6.4 cm) and 17 of 21 HCCs were over 4 cm in diameter. CT, sonography and angiography were performed within two week in all 16 patients and liver scan was performed in 12 patients. Three different pattern of tumor perfusion were observed in 16 patients with HCC. 1) diffuse increased perfusion in 16 of 21(76%) 2) increased peripheral perfusion in 4 of 21(19%) 3) diffuse decreased perfusion in 1 of 21 (5%) Arteriovenous shunt indicated by lung uptake of MAA were observed in 9 of 16 (56% ). In contrast, angiography demonstrates arteriovenous shunt in 2 of 16 (13%). There was no accumulation of radioactivity on RRC blood pool scan in all six patients with HCC examined. HAPS is useful study in evaluation of perfusion pattern or vascularity of HCC and in detection of arteriovenous shunt.

Myocardial infarction and stenotic coronary lesions are serious late complications in children with Kawasaki disease. For the noninvasive assessment of myocardial perfusion, dipyridamole-redistribution 201 Tl emission computed tomography (ECT) was performed in seven children (age 2 8/12-8 7/12 yr) 3-20 mo after the acute stage of the disease. In all patients, coronary aneurysms had been demonstrated by cross-sectional echocardiography. The scintigrams of six children showed no significant regional reduction of myocardial thallium uptake. These children had remained asymptomatic since the acute stage of Kawasaki disease. Persistent and transient thallium defects were present in one child with documented myocardial infarction. For this patient, obstruction of corresponding coronary vessels was confirmed by contrast angiography. It is suggested, that 201 Tl ECT after dipyridamole-induced vasodilation may be used as a safe alternative to invasive coronary angiography for follow-up investigations in patients with Kawasaki disease

Technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin lung perfusionscintigraphy was performed and evaluated semiquantitatively by Bull's eye analysis in 24, including 7 with central pulmonary carcinoma, 3 with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), 3 with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) and 11 normal subjects. First, whole lung field was divided into three regions by three concentric circles. And then radial axes were projected from the center to define 36 sectors, 10 degree each. The counts of each sector was calculated and Bull's eye image and circumferential profile curve were displayed. The patient's map was compared with the lower limit of normal (mean-2 SD), and the extent score (ES) and the severity score (SS) were calculated. The ES was 0.25±0.12 in pulmonary carcinoma (n=7), 0.08±0.07 in HP (n=3), 0.06±0.04 in DPB (n=3). The SS was 26.39±15.17 in pulmonary carcinoma, 4.75±5.57 in HP, 4.29±3.67 in DPB. In one case of central pulmonary carcinoma, segmental perfusion defect was evaluated semiquantitatively by Bull's eye image and circumferential profile curve. And in one case of HP, the change of regional pulmonary blood flow could be followed easily using extent and severity map. This new application of Bull's eye analysis to lung perfusionscintigraphy might be useful to evaluate regional pulmonary blood flow. (author)

Tl-201 lung uptake in 74 patients (85 lesions) and pulmonary perfusion in 105 patients were studied to evaluate clinical usefulness of Tl-201 lung uptake and perfusion lung scintigraphy in pulmonary tuberculosis, using a scintillation camera with a mini-computer system. As indices of Tl-201 lung uptake, lung (lesion) to upper mediastinum uptake ratio (L/M) and visual grading were used. L/M in pulmonary tuberculosis was 1.96±0.66, which was significantly larger than 1.04±0.24 in healthy controls and lower than that in heart diseases with left heart failure and idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and showed no significant differences with that in acute pneumonia, pyothorax, primary lung cancer and malignant mediastinal tumor. L/M in pulmonary tuberculosis did not correlate with CRP, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Gaffky number of sputum and body temperature. It correlated with the type of pulmonary tuberculosis according to the Gakken Classification reflecting the disease activity. It was larger in the exudative type, caseo-infiltrative one, disseminated one, one with cavity in infiltrative lesion than the fibro-caseous one. On perfusion lung scintigram, impairment of pulmonary perfusion larger than area of the entire unilateral lung was observed in 68 cases (64.8%). Area of hypoperfused lung field, which correlated with % vital capacity (r=0.60, p=0.0002) and PaO 2 (r=0.39,p=0.0024), was significantly larger in patients with silicosis and those with bilateral pleural involvements such as pleural callosity than in those with type III according to the Gakkai Classification. Most of the patients showed decreased pulmonary perfusion and Tl-201 accumulation of which grade reflects the disease activity in active tuberculous lesion. Patients with miliary tuberculosis and those with silicotuberculosis showed diffuse Tl-201 accumulation in the both lungs. Tl-201 lung scintigraphy seems to be useful for visualizing active tuberculous lesions, particularly the ones that

In order to assess their clinical impact, the authors analyzed perfusion scintigrams (PS) with dipyridamole (D) and the resultant clinical management in 41 consecutive patients (PTS). Population mean age was 67, with 22 males and represented 14% of those having PS. Fifteen PTS had rest chest pain of unknown cause and 26 PTS had pain typical or suggestive of angina but couldn't undergo dynamic stress due to claudication, arthritis, amputation, stroke, recent surgery or other disability. Four PTS were studies for surgical clearance, 3 following angiography to assess coronary pathophysiology and 9 had prior negative or equivocal stress PS at suboptimal levels. Among 18 PTS with reversible scintigraphic abnormalities, 10 underwent subsequent catheterization, with successful CABG in 7, PTCA in 1, aggressive medical treatment of ischemia in 11, and 2 had noncoronary surgery delayed. One PT with associated extensive fixed abnormalities underwent CABG and died late in heart failure. Among 23 PTS without significant scintigraphic reversibility, 8 with normal studies were discharged, 3 went on to uncomplicated noncardiac surgery and 11 PTS, 9 with dilated cardiomyopathy, were managed without therapeutic change. D infusion was uncomplicated and related findings on PS correlated well with coronary angiography, where available in 19 of 20 PTS. PS with D: 1) is safe; 2) correlates closely with coronary anatomy; and 3) adds unique, important pathophysiologic information to clinical evaluation and impacts strongly on the management of a large number of PTS with known or suspected coronary disease

The results of an evaluation of the perfusionscintigraphy findings of 350 hospitalized neurological patients and 55 more strictly selected neurosurgical patients with cerebrovascular complaints, revealed an accuracy of 83%, a sensitivity of 89%, and a specificity of 83%. The selection of patients had no influence on the results as a whole. Compared with contrast medium angiography, incorrect diagnosis must be expected in 17% of the cases with 10% being false negative. Causes for misinterpretation are suggested, and biological and methodological limitations of the method are discussed. (author)

To systematically assess the literature on the applicability of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy with phase analysis in the investigation of cardiac dyssynchrony and in the selection of patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), manuscripts published on the PubMed database over the past five years have been reviewed. The following MeSH terms were used: heart failure, left ventricular, dyssynchrony, gated-SPECT, phase analysis and resynchronization therapy. Altogether, 99 manuscripts were included for discussion. Speckle-tracking echocardiography is still widely used in the evaluation of dyssynchrony, but the advent of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy with the phase analysis technique has been gaining ground, as besides being operator independent, it can evaluate myocardial viability in the same test. Its use became more widespread in patients with left bundle branch block, with recommendation of CRT. Phase analysis also allows evaluating, in a highly reproducible way, the last ventricular segment to contract, hence allowing the best positioning of the CRT electrode. Knowing that the presence, location and extent of fibrosis in the left ventricle, associated with dyssynchrony are determinants of response to resynchronization therapy, GATED- SPECT can provide this information in a single test and in a reproducible and accurate way. Phase histogram offers several parameters that provide greater sensitivity and specificity to the method. It seems that the technique is able to add value both in the selection and in the evaluation of response of patients eligible to CRT. Further studies are being conducted to demonstrate its clinical applicability. (author)

The pulmonary reduction surgery improves the in-effort tolerance of certain severe emphysema, possibly by the compression of zones of adjacent healthy pulmonary parenchyma. Six patients afflicted with severe emphysema (5 M and 1 F, 20 to 63 years old) benefited at each 3 days by an at-rest and in-effort perfusion pulmonary tomo-scintigraphy (PPTS), after a trial interval of 6 minutes. After injection IV of 6 mCi of MAA- 99m Tc, in sitting position, 120 projection images were acquired with a single-head camera on a 128 x 128 matrix, with a high resolution collimator. After reconstruction with a Metz filter, without corrections of attenuations, the coronal and cross sections were recorded on films in a standard procedure. These were visually interpreted by two independent senior physicians. The procedure has been tolerated by all the patients. Differences of pulmonary perfusion occurred at rest in comparison with the in-effort condition in 4 patients. In all the cases concerned were the zones of pulmonary parenchyma appearing as strongly injured in tomodensitometry. The in-effort pulmonary perfusion improves in 3 patients and impairs in one patient. The role of bubble and implied pulmonary diseases in the deterioration of pulmonary function, respectively, is difficult to estimate. The improvement of in-effort pulmonary perfusion could suggest the persistence of functional pulmonary tissue. On the other side, its deterioration could express the compressive character of bubbles and thus could be an indicator of severity. The observation during this pilot study of the differences between at-rest and in-effort pulmonary perfusion urges utilisation of a tool of analysis of image superposition (PPTS and scans) to study in a group of patients the correlations between the perfusion variations and the post-surgery development, in order to know better the pathophysiology of diseases and select better the patients

The frequency of peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis in patients after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) ranges from 20 to 40%. This can be either primary or secondary to the surgical intervention. The influence of resulting lung perfusion alterations on the life quality of patients is difficult to predict. The aim of this study was to compare the utility of the diagnostic procedures in this group of patients, with particular focus on lung perfusionscintigraphy. This study comprised 104 patients who underwent repair of TOF at ages from 5 months to 25 years. The patients have been followed up for from 4.2 to 25 years. On the basis of chest X-ray peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis was suspected in 11 patients, in 12 on the basis of echocardiography examination. Lung perfusionscintigraphy has been performed on 87 patients. The disturbances in lung perfusion (mostly in the left lung) were show by means of lung perfusionscintigraphy in 43 (49%) of patients. In 27 of them heart catheterisation has been performed. Angiography revealed stenosis of the lung artery branch in 15/43 (34.9%) patients with abnormal perfusion lung scan and in 4/44 (9%) in patients with normal perfusion lung scan. Intervention procedures were carried out on 10 patients. Lung perfusionscintigraphy may prove a valuable, non-invasive screening tool in the assessment of patients after TOF repair, although both false-negative and false positive results may happen. Therefore, it should play an auxiliary role together with other diagnostic modalities. (author)

Lung perfusionscintigraphy is regarded as the gold standard for evaluating differential lung perfusion ratio in congenital heart disease. To compare cardiac CT with lung perfusionscintigraphy for estimated pulmonary vascular volume ratio in patients with congenital heart disease. We included 52 children and young adults (median age 4 years, range 2 months to 28 years; 31 males) with congenital heart disease who underwent cardiac CT and lung perfusionscintigraphy without an interim surgical or transcatheter intervention and within 1 year. We calculated the right and left pulmonary vascular volumes using threshold-based CT volumetry. Then we compared right pulmonary vascular volume percentages at cardiac CT with right lung perfusion percentages at lung perfusionscintigraphy by using paired t-test and Bland-Altman analysis. The right pulmonary vascular volume percentages at cardiac CT (66.3 ± 14.0%) were significantly smaller than the right lung perfusion percentages at lung perfusionscintigraphy (69.1 ± 15.0%; P=0.001). Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean difference of -2.8 ± 5.8% and 95% limits of agreement (-14.1%, 8.5%) between these two variables. Cardiac CT, in a single examination, can offer pulmonary vascular volume ratio in addition to pulmonary artery anatomy essential for evaluating peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis in patients with congenital heart disease. However there is a wide range of agreement between cardiac CT and lung perfusionscintigraphy. (orig.)

Lung perfusionscintigraphy is regarded as the gold standard for evaluating differential lung perfusion ratio in congenital heart disease. To compare cardiac CT with lung perfusionscintigraphy for estimated pulmonary vascular volume ratio in patients with congenital heart disease. We included 52 children and young adults (median age 4 years, range 2 months to 28 years; 31 males) with congenital heart disease who underwent cardiac CT and lung perfusionscintigraphy without an interim surgical or transcatheter intervention and within 1 year. We calculated the right and left pulmonary vascular volumes using threshold-based CT volumetry. Then we compared right pulmonary vascular volume percentages at cardiac CT with right lung perfusion percentages at lung perfusionscintigraphy by using paired t-test and Bland-Altman analysis. The right pulmonary vascular volume percentages at cardiac CT (66.3 ± 14.0%) were significantly smaller than the right lung perfusion percentages at lung perfusionscintigraphy (69.1 ± 15.0%; P=0.001). Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean difference of -2.8 ± 5.8% and 95% limits of agreement (-14.1%, 8.5%) between these two variables. Cardiac CT, in a single examination, can offer pulmonary vascular volume ratio in addition to pulmonary artery anatomy essential for evaluating peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis in patients with congenital heart disease. However there is a wide range of agreement between cardiac CT and lung perfusionscintigraphy. (orig.)

The blood supply through the hepatic artery, superior mesenteric artery and portal vein to the visceral organs was studied in 60 cases of various hepatic disorders by scintigraphy after the selective introduction of {sup 131}I MAA by means of visceral arterial catheterization or percutaneous splenic puncture. A comparison of the radioactivities of the liver and the spleen after celiac arterial infusion (celiac perfusion scanning) indicated how much blood in the celiac artery was distributed to the two major arterial branches - the hepatic and splenic. Dominant perfusion was found through the hepatic branch in liver cirrhosis, whereas significantly dominant splenic blood perfusion was found in idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. This remarkable contrast of the mode of celiac perfusion in two disorders indicated the etiological difference of these diseases. In malignant neoplasm of the liver, the dominant or exclusive celiac arterial perfusion was found in the tumour region. In these cases, liver scanning by the splenic injection of MAA (portal perfusion scanning) delineated the tumour region as a negative defect similar to the conventional {sup 198}Au colloid scanning. Consequently, from these two perfusion scintigrams the 'key and key-hole' pattern was demonstrated. It was concluded that a neoplastic lesion, primary or metastatic, has the predominant blood supply through the hepatic artery rather than through the portal vein. Celiac perfusion scanning of liver cystosis revealed multiple negative defects. This information was useful for differentiating a malignant tumour, which is usually impossible by conventional liver scanning. Celiac perfusion scanning was also useful for the diagnosis of arterial venous communication. In one case of liver .cancer with cirrhosis and another case with stomach varices, the arterial-v.enous communication was indicated by the appearance of the lung contour in the celiac perfusion scan. In both cases, the combined presence

textabstractAims: The aim of this review was to define the place of stress echocardiography in the context of perfusionscintigraphy for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the assessment of cardiac risk. Stress echocardiography has the benefits of widespread availability, relatively

Full Text Available PurposeCardiac screening in adult kidney transplant candidates with myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS can reveal findings associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease events, but the exact value of this screening test is still undetermined.MethodsNarrative review based on the available literature and guidelines on the yield, benefits, and harms of MPS screening in kidney transplant candidates.ResultsAlthough coronary angiography carries low risk in general population, it is not without risk particularly in patients with complex comorbid disease and the use of intravenous contrast media may precipitate a need for hospitalization and death. We could avoid invasive coronary angiography in patients with chronic kidney disease, although with high coronary calcium score, but good left ventricle function and normal perfusion, evaluated by Gated single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT MPS. In fact, although Gated SPECT MPS has not a high sensitivity, it provides some variables that are closely related to sudden death: post-stress and rest-ejection fraction and left ventricular volumes, left ventricle muscle mass, extent of ischemia and scar.ConclusionsGated SPECT MPS is a valid noninvasive cardiac screening test. It can be used as alternative to stress echocardiography in kidney transplant candidates with high cardiovascular risk and a positive or inconclusive exercise tolerance ECG test.Patients with abnormal perfusion and cardiac dysfunction should undergo invasive coronary artery imaging and endovascular treatment, while angiography could be avoided in patients with normal MPI, having good long-term prognosis.

For the purpose of clarifying the relationship between the percentage of perfusion and that of vital capacity or oxygen uptake on the affected lung, perfusionscintigraphy using sup(99m)Tc-MAA and differential spirometry were performed in twenty patients including sixteen patients with lung cancer. Both examinations were performed before and after the operation. The results are as follows: (1) There is a significant correlation between the percentage of perfusion and that of vital capacity or oxygen uptake of the affected lung before and after the operation. (2) The estimation of the percentage of vital capacity or oxygen uptake of the affected lung is possible by combining the spirometry and sup(99m)Tc-MAA pulmonary scintigraphy. (author)

) for male, NC for female, attenuation‐corrected images (AC) for male and AC for female subjects. 126 male and 205 female subjects were included. The normal database was created by alternatingly computing the mean of all normal subjects and normalizing the subjects with respect to this mean, until...... convergence. Coefficients of variation (CV) were created for increasing number of included patients in the four different normal stress databases. Normal stress databases with ...Commercial normal stress databases in myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) commonly consist of 30–40 individuals. The aim of the study was to determine how many subjects are needed. Four normal stress databases were developed using patients who underwent 99mTc MPS: non‐corrected images (NC...

Aim: This third survey of the working group Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine of the German Society of Nuclear Medicine in cooperation with the working group Nuclear Cardiology of the German Cardiac Society was to deliver information on the procedures and in particular on the development of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) from 2005 to 2007. Method: 370 questionnaires (222 private practices (PP), 117 hospitals (HO), 31 university hospitals (UH)) were evaluated. Results: MPS of 114,374 patients were reported, 83% were investigated with {sup 99m}Tc-perfusion tracers. 76% [2006=74%] were performed in PP, 15% [2006=17%] in HO and 9% [2006=9%] in UH. Diabetics represented 21% of all MPS patients in 2007. Data of 215 institutions which participated all from 2005 to 2007 showed an increase in MPS of 2.3% (PP +6.8%, HO -4.5%, UH -18.2%). The type of stress was pharmacological in 27% [2006 = 27%]; 67% adenosine (of these 25% with exercise), 31% dipyridamole (of these 55% with exercise), and 2% dobutamine. Gated SPECT was performed in 47% [2006 = 42%] of all rest and in 44% [2006 = 39%] of all stress MPS. 61% [2006 = 83%] of all institutions did not apply perfusion scores. 20% [2006 = 24%] of the institutions reported changes in the use of MPS by competing methods. Conclusion: There is a small increase of MPS between 2005 and 2007 despite competing methods. Gated SPECT has experienced more acceptance, but is still underrepresented. As compared to the European average and general standards of MPS a considerable backlog accounts to pharmacological stress tests, gated SPECT and perfusion scores. (orig.)

Aim: This third survey of the working group Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine of the German Society of Nuclear Medicine in cooperation with the working group Nuclear Cardiology of the German Cardiac Society was to deliver information on the procedures and in particular on the development of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) from 2005 to 2007. Method: 370 questionnaires (222 private practices (PP), 117 hospitals (HO), 31 university hospitals (UH)) were evaluated. Results: MPS of 114,374 patients were reported, 83% were investigated with 99m Tc-perfusion tracers. 76% [2006=74%] were performed in PP, 15% [2006=17%] in HO and 9% [2006=9%] in UH. Diabetics represented 21% of all MPS patients in 2007. Data of 215 institutions which participated all from 2005 to 2007 showed an increase in MPS of 2.3% (PP +6.8%, HO -4.5%, UH -18.2%). The type of stress was pharmacological in 27% [2006 = 27%]; 67% adenosine (of these 25% with exercise), 31% dipyridamole (of these 55% with exercise), and 2% dobutamine. Gated SPECT was performed in 47% [2006 = 42%] of all rest and in 44% [2006 = 39%] of all stress MPS. 61% [2006 = 83%] of all institutions did not apply perfusion scores. 20% [2006 = 24%] of the institutions reported changes in the use of MPS by competing methods. Conclusion: There is a small increase of MPS between 2005 and 2007 despite competing methods. Gated SPECT has experienced more acceptance, but is still underrepresented. As compared to the European average and general standards of MPS a considerable backlog accounts to pharmacological stress tests, gated SPECT and perfusion scores. (orig.)

The results of technetium 99 m - methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile scintigraphy in a one-day protocol: rest - physical or combined stress bicycle plus endovenoous dipyridamole were compared with those of coronary angiography in 20 women referred for the evaluation of pre cordial pain and of the usefulness of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy. The uptake of the radio drug under stress and at rest varied from 93 + - 9 to 94 + - 7 % in the 204 segments with normal uptake under stress, from 67 He articulates it analyzes the reasons or utility of the employment of the radioactive iodine in the diagnosis and treatment of the thyroid affections + - 9 to 75 + - 17 % in the 89 with moderate reduction, and from 33 + - 9 to 64 + - 28 % in the 27 with severe reduction. The qualitative and quantitative uptake analyses coincided in 18 patients. The perfusionscintigraphy and the angiography agreed in 70 % of the patients. It was concluded that the myocardial perfusionscintigraphy with technetium 99 -MIBI contributes to the diagnosis of the coronary artery disease in women

Objective: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is one of the important causes of pulmonary hypertension with poor prognosis. Several imaging techniques had been used to identify CTEPH. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy and multislice spiral CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in the diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and the concordance rate (or 'agreement' as in the original article) between the two techniques. Methods: Forty-nine in-patients with pulmonary hypertension without history of con- genital heart disease, valvular heart disease and acute pulmonary embolism were included in this study. All these patients underwent V/Q scintigraphy as well as CTPA for detecting CTEPH. The final diagnosis was confirmed by pulmonary angiograpy. The results of V/Q scintigraphy and CTPA were compared with the χ 2 test. Results: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of V/Q scintigraphy in diagnosis of CTEPH was 100.0% (17/17), 71.9% (23/32) and 81.6% (40/49), respectively, and those of CTPA was 94.1% (16/17), 81.2% (26/32) and 85.7% (42/49), respectively. The concordance rate was 75.5% (37/49, Kappa=0.513), no statistically significant difference (χ 2 =0.75, P > 0.05 ) was found between V/Q scintigraphy and CTPA. Conclusion: Both V/Q scintigraphy and CTPA are reliable to diagnose CTEPH. (authors)

Aim: this second survey was to deliver further information on myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) in Germany in 2006. Method: 351 questionnaires were evaluated: 207 private practices (PP), 117 hospitals (HO), 27 from university hospitals (UH). Results: MPS of 106 331 patients were reported, 85% were investigated with 99m Tc-perfusion tracers. 74% [2005 = 72%] were performed in PP, 17% [2005 = 15%] in HO and 9% [2005 = 13%] in UH. PP, which participated in 2005 and 2006, demonstrated an increase by 3,9% (HO 0%, UH -13,0%). The type of stress was pharmacological in 27% [2005 = 22%]; 54% adenosine (of these 29% with exercise), 37% dipyridamole (of these 56% with exercise), and 9% dobutamine. Gated SPECT was performed in 42% [2005 = 36%] of all rest- and in 39% [2005 32%] of all stress MPS. An attenuation correction was used by 69 [2005 = 78] institutions. 40% of all MPS were performed in patients suspected to have CAD. 24% of all institutions reported changes in the use of MPS by competing methods. Conclusion: there is a small increase of MPS between 2005 and 2006 despite competing methods. Gated SPECT has experienced more acceptance. Suspicion of CAD is an important indication of MPS. In order to tap the full potential of MPS a gated SPECT should be performed routinely. (orig.)

The working group Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine of the German Society of Nuclear Medicine (DGN), in cooperation with the working group Nuclear Cardiology of the German Cardiac Society (DGK), decided to conduct a national survey on myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS). Method: a questionnaire to evaluate MPS for the year 2005 was sent. Results: 346 completed questionnaires had been returned (213 private practices, 99 hospitals and 33 university hospitals). MPS of 112 707 patients were reported with 110 747 stress and 95 878 rest studies. The majority (> 75%) was performed with 99m Tc-MIBI or tetrofosmin. 201 Tl stress-redistribution was used in 22 637 patients (20%). The types of stress were exercise in 78%, vasodilation with adenosine or dipyridamol in 21% and dobutamine in 1%. 99.97% of all MPS were SPECT studies. Gated SPECT was performed in 36% of the stress and in 32% of the rest studies. An attenuation correction was used in 21%. 29 institutions (8%) performed gated SPECT (stress and rest) and attenuation correction. 47% of all MPS were requested by ambulatory care cardiologists, 17% by internists, 12% by primary care physicians, 21% by hospital departments and 2% by others. Conclusion: in Germany, MPS is predominantly performed with 99m Tc-perfusion agents. The common type of stress is ergometry. Gated SPECT and attenuation correction do not yet represent standards of MPS practice in Germany, which indicates some potential of optimization. (orig.)

The presence of severe hypokinesia or akinesia and near complete stenotic lesions on coronary angiography, in a patient with acute myocardial infarction raises a question of viability in the involved territory and its response to revascularization. The decision of revascularization can be effectively taken after myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS). Aim: To evaluate the role of MPS in patients with acute or recent myocardial infarction after invasive coronary angiography. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients (27 Males, 8 Females; Mean age 54 years) with acute myocardial infarction, who underwent invasive angiography, were included prospectively. Invasive angiography was attempted during the episode of acute chest pain in 20 patients. Fifteen patients underwent angiography without MPS because of non-availability of MPS at the time of initial presentation in the referring hospital. Revascularization was deferred because of complete/near complete block of artery with hypokinesia/akinesia of the distal LV segments in 32/35 patients and 50 to 70% block in 3/35. These patients were subjected to MPS. Results: Twenty patients underwent stress MPS and 15 underwent nitrate-augmented rest re-distribution study (RR study). Imaging was performed using the hybrid SPECT/CT system. The average defect size of the perfusion defect was 34% (5 - 57% range). Sixteen patients (46%) had fixed perfusion defects. Reversible ischemia was present in 19 (54%). Ten patients had a 10% of the LV myocardium, and underwent the invasive revascularization procedure. Conclusion: MPS is invaluable in patients who have total/near total occlusion of the coronary artery and distal segment hypokinesia or akinesia on invasive angiography. One in four patients, deemed to have non-viable myocardium, underwent an invasive revascularization after undergoing MPS. (author)

A review of lung scintigraphy, perfusionscintigraphy with SPECT, lung ventilation SPECT, blood pool SPECT. The procedure of lung perfusion studies, radiopharmaceutical, administration and clinical applications, imaging processing .Results encountered and evaluation criteria after Biello and Pioped. Recommendations and general considerations have been studied about relation of this radiopharmaceutical with other pathologies

Purpose: This investigation was performed to compare the hemodynamic results of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, a new interventional treatment for portal hypertension, with those observed after the established surgical shunt interventions. Methods: We examined 22 patients with portal hypertension due to liver cirrhosis before and after elective TIPS by liver perfusionscintigraphy. The relative portal perfusion was determined before and after the shunt procedure. Additionally, we measured the portal pressure gradient (PPG: Portal-central venous pressure, mmHg). Results: Prior to TIPS, the relative portal perfusion was significantly reduced to 22±9.1%. After the intervention we calculated values of 23.1±10.7% in the TIPS-group (p=0.67; not significant). In spite of unchanged portal perfusion, the portal pressure was significantly (p [de

We study the precise contribution of myocardial scintigraphy in the therapeutic management of stable coronary artery disease. Until recently, treatment was focused on revascularization, often by coronary angioplasty.Recent studies have challenged this practice by showing the absence of superiority of angioplasty compared to optimal medical therapy.The problem now is to define for each stable coronary artery disease, and individually, the best of both treatment options. In this spirit, the functional approach to coronary artery disease by myocardial perfusionscintigraphy is most interesting.The diagnostic performance, including sensitivity and negative predictive value, and the prognostic value of the technique are clearly established. Recent studies show that a therapeutic decision based on a functional approach to the patient is valid.We need to know this development in cardiology for best position in the multidisciplinary discussions, myocardial scintigraphy as a functional approach to stable coronary artery disease. (N.C.)

One hundred fifty patients having pulmonary disease underwent pulmonary scintigraphy sequentially with sup(99m)Tc-MAA and sup(81m)Kr gases. Scintigrams of matched defect were obtained from 113 (75.3%) of the 150 patients, considered to be nonspecific universal pattern of a pulmonary disease. Scintigrams of mismatched defect (absent perfusion and homogeneous ventilation) were obtained from 20 patients (13.3%), including 6 with lung carcinoma, 3 with pulmonary embolism, 3 with connective tissue disease, 2 with aortitis syndrome and 6 with other diseases. Scintigrams of mismatch with impaired ventilation and normal perfusion were mainly seen in chronic obstructive lung diseases. Of the 10 patients with bronchial asthma, 5 had scintigrams of improved ventilation after intravenous injection of 250 mg aminophilline, but none of patients with emphysema. The combined scintigraphy has made significant contributions to diagnosis and management of patients with pulmonary disease where the chest X-ray is unhelpful. (author)

The myocardium perfusionscintigraphy corresponds at the nuclear medicine to one of best diagnostic methods for myocardium diseases. However, artefacts generated by the diaphragmatic tissue can induce to false positive diagnostic when does not occurs association of the image in supine position with the prone position. Images acquired at the two positions were analysed and the evaluation of tomographic images were estimation and consequently, a more completed diagnostic

Full Text Available The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy with technetium-99m tetrofosmin by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT, using one-day protocol in the identification and localization of individual stenosed coronary vessels. Sixty-eight patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD were studied. In thirty of them coronary angiography showed significant stenosis (³50%. Nine patients were with one-vessel disease, 11 were with two-vessel disease, and 10 were with three-vessel disease. All the patients were administered two i.v. injections of 99mTc tetrofosmin, one at peak pharmacologic exercise (1-3 min after i.v. administration of dipiridamol 0.56 mg per kg during 4 min 370 MBq, and the other 740 MBq at rest 3 hrs after the exercise test (acquisition was obtained 15-30 min after injections for both studies. Overall sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy in the identification of individual stenosed coronary vessels were 90%, 86%, and 88%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in each of the individual vascular territories were not significantly different: LAD (96% 64%, and 75%, ACx (73%, 100%, and 94%, RCA (95%, 93%, and 94%. The results of this study demonstrated one-day 99mTc-tetrofosmin SPECT scintigraphy to be suitable and accurate technique for the identification and localization of individual stenosed coronary vessels, as well as a highly sensitive method in the recognition of one- and multiple-vessel diseases of coronary arteries.

Pulmonary emboli (PE) are one of the major complications associated with total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy (V/Q) remains the most used test for the diagnosis of PE and follow-up of patients on TPN. The aim of our study was to demonstrate the high prevalence of undiagnosed PE in children on TPN. The medical and imaging files of 64 patients on TPN who underwent V/Q examinations covering the period of 1986-2004 were reviewed. Children were aged between 3.18 months and 21.6 years. TPN was started at birth (range 0-15 years). All children had a normal chest radiograph and no symptoms at the time of the V/Q scan. A comparative analysis between the prevalence of PE and risk factors number of days per week with lipophilic content of the TPN, bowel inflammation and thrombophilic factors (protein C and S) was performed. Of the 64 patients, 25 (39%) had an abnormal V/Q scan. A total of 29 PE episodes were diagnosed in all patients. Two children had three episodes of PE. The median age at PE diagnosis was 4.6 years. In 17 patients (68%) diagnosis was achieved on the first V/Q scan performed. PE was bilateral in 56% and unilateral in 44%. PE was the main cause of 2 out 15 recorded deaths. All risk factors were associated with an increase in PE prevalence by statistical analysis. PE is underdiagnosed in children on long-term TPN. Lung V/Q scintigraphy is useful in the diagnosis of PE in children with a low pretest probability. (orig.)

Since 2006, the working group Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine of the German Society of Nuclear Medicine, in cooperation with the working group Nuclear Cardiology of the German Cardiac Society, has been surveying the utilization and technical realization of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) in Germany. This paper presents the results of the reporting year 2009. A total of 291 centres participated in the inquiry, including 179 private practices (PP), 86 hospitals (HO) and 26 university hospitals (UH). MPS of 98,103 patients were reported. The MPS numbers per million population (pmp) were estimated at 2,360; 76% of the MPS were performed in PP, 17% in HO and 7% in UH. The ratio of MPS to coronary angiography to revascularization was 0.5 to 2.3 to 1. Data from 134 centres which participated in the surveys from 2005 to 2009 showed a decrease in MPS utilization of 2.2%. Nearly half of the MPS were requested by ambulatory care cardiologists. Of all MPS studies, 89% were conducted with {sup 99m}Tc perfusion tracers. Ergometry was the preferred stress test (69%). Adenosine was used in 16%, adenosine + exercise in 7%, dipyridamole in 3%, dipyridamole + exercise in 5% and dobutamine in <1%. Gated single proton emission computed tomography (SPECT) acquisition was performed in 56% of all rest MPS and in 56% of all stress MPS. Both rest and stress MPS were ECG gated in 41%. Only 33% of the centres always performed a quantification of the perfusion studies, whereas 51% did not apply any quantification; 4% of the MPS studies were corrected for attenuation, and 17 centres used transmission sources of 12 CT-based systems. A scan activity of 2,380 MPS pmp is in the upper third of the European range. The ratios to coronary angiography and to revascularization suggest that angiography dominates diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease (CAD). The clinical and technical realizations reveal that the predominant goals of further trainings to optimize MPS are in the field

Aim: To assess the value of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy for coronary artery disease (CAD) in women, we compared the results of a technetium99m-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile ( 99m Tc-MIBI) scintigraphy with those of a coronary angiography in a group of women referred for evaluation of chest pain. Material and Methods: Twenty women, 15 of them postmenopausal, were included. A 99m Tc-MIBI myocardial scintigraphy with one-day protocol (rest-stress) was performed. When needed, a combined stress (ergometric plus dipyridamole) was used. Both qualitative and quantitative regional uptake analysis was done. In patients with normal coronary arteries and positive myocardial scintigraphies, measurements were made of serum cholesterol and triglycerides (CHOD-PAD enzymatic colorimetric test), and lipoprotein(a) -Lp(a)- (BioSCREEN Lp(a) method). Results: Change in regional uptake (stress/rest) was as follows: during stress 99m Tc-MIBI, 116 segments had normal uptake (from 93±9% to 94±7%), 52 had moderately reduced uptake (from 67±9% to 75±17%), and 12 had severely reduced uptake (from 33±9% to 64±28%). Qualitative and quantitative analysis coincided in 18 cases. The two non-coincident cases were patients in whom qualitative analysis and coronary angiography were normal, but on quantitative analysis it appeared a reversible defect in one case and a 'reverse redistribution' pattern in the other. Breast attenuation defects were detected in four cases. Myocardial scintigraphy and coronary angiography coincided in 70% cases (figure). The remainder 30% was constituted by patients with positive scintigraphy and normal coronary arteries; among these cases, the 71% were postmenopausal and had systolic hypertension, chest pain at rest, positive ergometric test and hypercholesterolemia (table). Conclusion: We concluded that 99m Tc-MIBI myocardial scintigraphy can help in the CAD diagnosis in postmenopausal women

Lung perfusionscintigraphy is regarded as the gold standard for evaluating differential lung perfusion ratio in congenital heart disease. To compare cardiac CT with lung perfusionscintigraphy for estimated pulmonary vascular volume ratio in patients with congenital heart disease. We included 52 children and young adults (median age 4 years, range 2 months to 28 years; 31 males) with congenital heart disease who underwent cardiac CT and lung perfusionscintigraphy without an interim surgical or transcatheter intervention and within 1 year. We calculated the right and left pulmonary vascular volumes using threshold-based CT volumetry. Then we compared right pulmonary vascular volume percentages at cardiac CT with right lung perfusion percentages at lung perfusionscintigraphy by using paired t-test and Bland-Altman analysis. The right pulmonary vascular volume percentages at cardiac CT (66.3 ± 14.0%) were significantly smaller than the right lung perfusion percentages at lung perfusionscintigraphy (69.1 ± 15.0%; P=0.001). Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean difference of -2.8 ± 5.8% and 95% limits of agreement (-14.1%, 8.5%) between these two variables. Cardiac CT, in a single examination, can offer pulmonary vascular volume ratio in addition to pulmonary artery anatomy essential for evaluating peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis in patients with congenital heart disease. However there is a wide range of agreement between cardiac CT and lung perfusionscintigraphy.

To evaluate the prognostic significance of perfusion abnormalities, particularly large defects, in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), we performed thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy and 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring in 27 patients. The abnormal scintigraphic patterns and the presence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) were correlated with causes of death during a follow-up period of 30.0±19.4 months. Eight patients had large defects (LD), 11 had multiple small defects (MSD), and eight had no defects (NL). The patients with LD had extensive ventricular akinesis in the region of the perfusion defect, significantly elevated LVEDP (LD 20.6±7.4 mmHg, MSD 15.5±7.6 mmHg, NL 10.3±2.3 mmHg: LD vs NL; p<0.01, MSD vs NL; p<0.05), and reduced ejection fraction (LD 23.9±9.1%, MSD 32.7±7.2%, NL 40.3±7.7%: LD vs MSD; p<0.05, MSD vs NL; p<0.01). VT was detected in 11 patients; among whom three had LD, six had MSD, and two had no defects. Among seven patients who died during follow-up (five of heart failure, one sudden death, and one non-cardiac death), five had LD and two had MSD. There were no deaths among patients without defects. Among 11 patients with VT, only one died suddenly. In conclusion, large scintigraphic defects correlated well with severe LV dysfunction, and this is an important variable in predicting outcomes in DCM. (author)

Myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a powerful test of evaluation for coronary artery disease, but subdiaphragmatic radiotracer activity often interferes with the interpretation of inferior wall findings. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using software elimination of the subdiaphragmatic activity for the assessment of its efficacy in the correctness of image interpretation and the overall image quality of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS). MPS studies from January 2010 to October 2012 at our institution were reviewed. Thirty-two SPECT studies were included, all of which had significant subdiaphragmatic activity in the first scan and needed to be delayed to let the activity clear. Each scan was interpreted by using semiquantitative scoring in 17 segments according to the degree of radiotracer uptake. The first scan, which had interfering activity, was manipulated by masking out the unwanted activity with software native to our image processing software suite. The manipulated images were then compared with delayed images of the same patient, of which the subdiaphragmatic activity was spontaneously cleared with time. The first scan masked by software correlated with the delayed scan for myocardial regions supplied by the left circumflex (LCx) and right coronary artery (RCA), but not the left anterior descending (LAD). However, the quality of the masked scans was perceived by the observer to be better in terms of quality and ease of interpretation. Using software to mask out unwanted subdiaphragmatic activity has no detrimental effect on the interpretation of MPS images when compared with delayed scanning, but it can improve subjective scan quality and ease of interpretation

Patients with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undergoing lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) are at high risk of peri-operative cardiac complications, and myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) is commonly used for risk stratification. This study prospectively assessed the safety of dipyridamole in these patients and compared the incidence of side-effects (particularly dyspnoea) with that in patients undergoing dipyridamole MPS prior to elective non-cardiothoracic surgery. Fifty patients were enrolled: 25 in the LVRS cohort (13 males, 12 females), with a mean age of 65 years and a mean FEV 1 of 0.79 l, and 25 (with no history of asthma or COPD) in the control cohort (14 males, 11 females), with a mean age of 66 years. Fourteen patients (56%) in each group developed side-effects. Dyspnoea was reported by five patients (20%) in the LVRS and two patients (8%) in the control cohort (P=NS). One patient in each cohort developed severe hypotension and bradycardia. Eight (32%) other patients developed minor side-effects in the LVRS cohort compared with 11 (44%) in the control group. All side-effects responded promptly to intravenous aminophylline. In summary, there was a statistically non-significant increase in the incidence of dyspnoea in patients with end-stage COPD and all side-effects responded to aminophylline. Thus, dipyridamole can be used safely in these patients. (orig.)

Regional lung ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy by xenon gas was performed on 14 normal cases (normal group) and 86 cases of primary lung cancer (lung cancer group). The patients were measured in a sitting position using a scintillation camera. In normal group, the value of V, Q was higher in the lower lung field than in the upper lung field, the value of MTT was rather delayed in the upper lung field than in the lower lung field, proving to that lung clearance was better in the lower lung field than in the upper lung field. In lung cancer group, VQ match (pattern I, II) was 61 cases (71%) and VQ mismatch (pattern III, IV) was 25 cases (29%). The pattern II (VQ matched defect) accounted for 63% in lung cancer group. In this pattern, the region of disorder of V and Q was corresponded respectively, but disorder grade was not always accorded. The pattern III (normal V and disordered Q) was mainly seen in AH group (hilar type) and D group (lymph node swelling type). The V/Q in lung cancer group was widely distributed to the range of 0 to 5.8. The value of MTT was rather delayed in all cases of lung cancer group than in the normal group, because delayed MTT in focal lesion was markedly affected to whole lung. (author)

Seventy-five patients who had chest pain but no history or ECG evidence of myocardial infarction (MI) underwent myocardial-stress perfusionscintigraphy (MSPS) with thallium-201, treadmill-stress testing (TST), and coronary cineangiography (CA). The sensitivities of MSPS and TST for coronary stenosis greater than or equal to 75 percent were 68 percent and 71 percent, respectively; their specificities were 97 percent and 79 percent, respectively (0.1 greater than p greater than 0.05). When the character of a patient's chest pain is considered, Bayesian analysis leads to the following conclusions: MSPS can be useful in pre-CA screening of patients with chest pain but no MI if their pain is thought to be of uncertain or nonischemic origin; the sensitivity of Tl-201 MSPS is not sufficient for pre-CA screening of patients without MI who have typical or atypical angina pectoris; the sensitivity of MSPS would have to be approximately 95 percent in order for the test to be useful in pre-CA screening of patients who have atypical angina pectoris; MSPS may be superior to TST in these applications; and it is not clear that there is any advantage in combining MSPS and TST into a single screening test rather than using MSPS alone

The purpose of these recommendations is to help the physicians in the realization and the interpretation of the tomo-scintigraphies of myocardium perfusion, when this examination is made at the patients having a known or suspected coronary incapacity. These recommendations aim to encourage the practitioners (of nuclear medicine) to reflect and to discuss the procedures applied in their services. These procedures must be also adapted, in every service, to the peculiarities of the environment and to the experiment of each one. (N.C.)

Prospectively, 125 patients were examined with 99m Tc-perfusionscintigraphy, 89m Kr- or 127 Xe-ventilation scintigraphy and chest radiogram prior to major surgery. Postoperative therapy-demanding pulmonary complications occurred in 18% of the patients. A statistical association could be demonstrated between all the preoperative tests except ventilation scintigraphy and the frequency of complications. However, the predictive values of each of the tests, or even the combined results, were not significantly different from the frequency of complications among all the patients. It is concluded that the predictive values of perfusion-and ventilation scintigraphy, spirometry and radiogram of the chest are too low to be of any practical use. (author)

Thallium-201 myocardial perfusionscintigraphy and right-heart catheterization were performed on patients with right ventricular pressure overload (RVPO) or right ventricular volume overload (RVVO). In 18 patients with RVPO, right ventricular systolic pressure correlated significantly both with the RV/LV wall thallium-201 uptake ratios (r=0.54, p<0.02) and the RV wall/background thallium-201 uptake ratios (r=0.70, p<0.01). RV/LV work ratios also significantly correlated with RV/LV wall thallium-201 uptake ratios (r=0.57, p<0.02). In 19 patients with RVVO, Qp/Qs and RV/LV work ratios both significantly correlated with RV/LV wall thallium-201 uptake ratios (r=0.78 and 0.87, respectively; p<0.001 for both) and RV wall/background thallium-201 uptake ratios (r=0.69, p<0.01 for both parameters). Right ventricular systolic pressure also correlated with RV/LV wall thallium-201 uptake ratios (r=0.57, p<0.02). Feasibility of the differentiation between RVPO and RVVO was suggested with use of ''transitional view angle'' and RV/LV diameter ratios obtained from the scintigram. In patients who underwent cardiac surgery, post-operative alleviations of the right ventricular overload were evaluated. There was a significant decrease in RV/LV wall thallium-201 uptake ratios, but no significant decrease in RV wall/background thallium-201 uptake ratios in patients with RVPO. On the other hand, there was a significant decrease both in RV/LV wall thallium-201 uptake ratios and RV wall/background thallium-201 uptake ratios in patients with RVVO. No significant changes were observed between the scintigraphic measurements obtained 1 month and 1 year after the surgery, irrespective of the type of right ventricular overloading. (J.P.N.)

In postmenopausal women, the presence of risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) increases. However, the difference in prevalence of ischemia between pre- and postmenopausal women with multiple risk factors for CAD has not been well established. To compare the prevalence of ischemia on Tc{sup 99m}-sestamibi myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) in pre-and postmenopausal women, and to evaluate whether menopause can be considered an independent risk predictor of ischemia in women with multiple risk factors for CAD. This study retrospectively assessed 500 MPS of pre- and postmenopausal women with multiple risk factors for CAD. Statistical analysis was performed by using Fisher exact test and univariate and multivariate analysis, a p value ≤ 0.05 being considered significant. Postmenopausal women represented 55.9% of the sample; 83.3% were hypertensive; 28.9%, diabetic; 32.1%, smokers; 25%, obese; 61.2% had high cholesterol levels; and 34.3% had known CAD. Postmenopausal women were more often hypertensive, diabetic and dyslipidemic, and had lower functional capacity on exercise testing (p = < 0.005). The presence of ischemia on MPS did not significantly differ between the pre- and postmenopausal groups (p = 0.395). The only variable associated with ischemia on MPS was known CAD (p = 0.004). The results suggest that, in women with multiple risk factors for CAD, menopause was not an independent predictor of ischemia on MPS. Those data support the idea that the investigation of ischemia via MPS in women with multiple risk factors for CAD should begin prior to menopause.

In postmenopausal women, the presence of risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) increases. However, the difference in prevalence of ischemia between pre- and postmenopausal women with multiple risk factors for CAD has not been well established. To compare the prevalence of ischemia on Tc 99m -sestamibi myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) in pre-and postmenopausal women, and to evaluate whether menopause can be considered an independent risk predictor of ischemia in women with multiple risk factors for CAD. This study retrospectively assessed 500 MPS of pre- and postmenopausal women with multiple risk factors for CAD. Statistical analysis was performed by using Fisher exact test and univariate and multivariate analysis, a p value ≤ 0.05 being considered significant. Postmenopausal women represented 55.9% of the sample; 83.3% were hypertensive; 28.9%, diabetic; 32.1%, smokers; 25%, obese; 61.2% had high cholesterol levels; and 34.3% had known CAD. Postmenopausal women were more often hypertensive, diabetic and dyslipidemic, and had lower functional capacity on exercise testing (p = < 0.005). The presence of ischemia on MPS did not significantly differ between the pre- and postmenopausal groups (p = 0.395). The only variable associated with ischemia on MPS was known CAD (p = 0.004). The results suggest that, in women with multiple risk factors for CAD, menopause was not an independent predictor of ischemia on MPS. Those data support the idea that the investigation of ischemia via MPS in women with multiple risk factors for CAD should begin prior to menopause

The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of fusing ventilation and perfusion data from single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) ventilation perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy together with computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) data. We sought to determine the accuracy of this fusion process. In addition, we correlated the findings of this technique with the final clinical diagnosis. Thirty consecutive patients (17 female, 13 male) who had undergone both CTPA and SPECT V/Q scintigraphy during their admission for investigation of potential pulmonary embolism were identified retrospectively. Image datasets from these two modalities were co-registered and fused using commercial software. Accuracy of the fusion process was determined subjectively by correlation between modalities of the anatomical boundaries and co-existent pleuro-parenchymal abnormalities. In all 30 cases, SPECT V/Q images were accurately fused with CTPA images. An automated registration algorithm was sufficient alone in 23 cases (77%). Additional linear z-axis scaling was applied in seven cases. There was accurate topographical co-localisation of vascular, parenchymal and pleural disease on the fused images. Nine patients who had positive CTPA performed as an initial investigation had co-localised perfusion defects on the subsequent fused CTPA/SPECT images. Three of the 11 V/Q scans initially reported as intermediate could be reinterpreted as low probability owing to co-localisation of defects with parenchymal or pleural pathology. Accurate fusion of SPECT V/Q scintigraphy to CTPA images is possible. This technique may be clinically useful in patients who have non-diagnostic initial investigations or in whom corroborative imaging is sought. (orig.)

The evaluation is based on the results of investigation of 34 patients who have had myocardial infarct without rhythm disturbances. Compared to contrast ventrilography, the amplitude-phase analysis (APA) of 'rest' radionuclide ventrilography show 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity, as well as high accuracy in determination of the type and localization of the kinetic disturbances. The comparison with the thallium perfusionscintigraphy demonstrates the possibility of APA to vizualize abnormal kinetic area of the myocardial wall and shows its independent significance in the cases of doubtful findings. APA is a powerful tool for unambigious differentiating of hypokinetic from akinetic and diskinetic areas. 1 tab., 1 fig., 4 refs

The authors wished to determine the proportion of patients with intermediate-category and intermediate-probability ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy (IVQS) who proceed to further imaging for investigation of thromboembolism, to identify the defining clinical parameters and to determine the proportion of patients who have a definite imaging diagnosis of thromboembolism prior to discharge from hospital on anticoagulation therapy. One hundred and twelve VQS studies performed at the Flinders Medical Centre over a 9-month period were reported as having intermediate category and probability for pulmonary embolism. Medical case notes were available for review in 99 of these patients and from these the pretest clinical probability, subsequent patient progress and treatment were recorded. Eight cases were excluded because they were already receiving anticoagulation therapy. In the remaining 91 patients the pretest clinical probability was considered to be low in 25; intermediate in 30; and high in 36 cases. In total, 51.6% (n = 47) of these patients (8% (n = 2) with low, 66% (n = 20) with intermediate, and 69.4% (n = 25) with high pretest probability) proceeded to CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and/or lower limb duplex Doppler ultrasound (DUS) evaluation. Of the patients with IVQS results, 30.7% (n 28) were evaluated with CTPA. No patient with a low, all patients with a high and 46% of patients with an intermediate pretest probability initially received anticoagulation therapy. This was discontinued in three patients with high and in 12 patients with intermediate clinical probability prior to discharge from hospital. Overall, 40% of patients discharged on anticoagulation therapy (including 39% of those with a high pretest probability) had a positive imaging diagnosis of thromboembolism The results suggest that, although the majority of patients with intermediate-to-high pretest probability and IVQS proceed to further imaging investigation, CTPA is relatively underused in

One of the most important complication of sepsis is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Diagnosis of the illness is mainly based on chest radiography and gasometric parameters of the blood. The aim of the study was to estimate the diagnostic usefulness of lung perfusionscintigraphy in early detection of blood flow and gas-exchange abnormalities in patients with ARDS in the course of sepsis. Scintigraphic studies of 12 patients in critical condition were performed, using Hungarian planar gamma camera type MB9200 and human albumin microspheres labelled with 99m Tc. Perfusion scans of patients with ARDS demonstrated blurring outlines and abundant diffuse foci of lack of radioactivity in both lungs and quantitative analysis indicated relative increase of Tc99m-MSA accumulation in upper zones of both lungs. Scans of suffering from sepsis were similar to control one. The course of the studies showed that scintigraphic methods could be safely use in patients with sepsis and ARDS and may be helpful in the early diagnosis of ARDS in the septic patients. (author)

Purpose: the goal of this study was to evaluate effects of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) on the renal perfusion using the resistive index (RI), perfusionscintigraphy, magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion imaging and plasma big-endothelin (big-ET-1) values. Method/materials: In 21 patients divided in 3 age-groups the RI was measured before and 1,3,6 and 24 hours after ESWL. Big-ET-1, a potent vasoconstrictor peptid was correlated with the RI values. The RI and Big-ET-1 results was compared to the results of the MR perfusion imaging and the scintigraphy, the gold-standard method. Results: The RI of the treated kidneys increased significantly from 0,64±0,05 to 0,72±0,08 after the ESWL (p<0,001) and in the untreated kidneys from 0,63±0,05 to 0,68±0,09 (p=0,003). The hightest age group shows the most significant increase. The Big-ET-values also increased only in this age group significantly from 0,78±0,24 fmol/l to 1,58±0,52 fmol/l. In the scintigraphy the decrease of the renal plasma flow (RPF) in this age group was most significant. The MR perfusion Imaging shows in all age groups significant decrease (p<0,001). Conclusion: we conclude that the ESWL causes considerable renal parenchymal damage only in the elderly patients. The following changes in renal perfusion were measured very sensitively with the RI which had a good correlation to the results of the perfusionscintigraphy and the MR perfusion imaging. Further studies with larger series have to evaluate these results. (author)

Because thallium-201 uptake relates directly to the amount of viable myocardium and nutrient blood flow, the potential for exercise scintigraphy to predict response to coronary revascularization surgery was investigated in 47 consecutive patients. All patients underwent thallium-201 scintigraphy and coronary angiography at a mean (+/- standard deviation) of 4.3 +/- 3.1 weeks before and 7.5 +/- 1.6 weeks after surgery. Thallium uptake and washout were computer-quantified and each of six segments was defined as normal, showing total or partial redistribution or a persistent defect. Persistent defects were further classified according to the percent reduction in regional thallium activity; PD25-50 denoted a 25 to 50% constant reduction in relative thallium activity and PD greater than 50 denoted a greater than 50% reduction. Of 82 segments with total redistribution before surgery, 76 (93%) showed normal thallium uptake and washout postoperatively, versus only 16 (73%) of 22 with partial redistribution (probability [p] . 0.01). Preoperative ventriculography revealed that 95% of the segments with total redistribution had preserved wall motion, versus only 74% of those with partial redistribution (p . 0.01). Of 42 persistent defects thought to represent myocardial scar before surgery, 19 (45%) demonstrated normal perfusion postoperatively. Of the persistent defects that showed improved thallium perfusion postoperatively, 75% had normal or hypokinetic wall motion before surgery, versus only 14% of those without improvement (p less than 0.001). Whereas 57% of the persistent defects that showed a 25 to 50% decrease in myocardial activity demonstrated normal thallium uptake and washout postoperatively, only 21% of the persistent defects with a decrease in myocardial activity greater than 50% demonstrated improved perfusion after surgery (p . 0.02)

Silent myocardial ischaemia - as evaluated by stress-induced perfusion defects on myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) in patients without a history of chest pain - is frequent in diabetes and is associated with increased rates of cardiovascular events. Its prevalence has been determined in asymptomatic diabetic patients, but remains largely unknown in diabetic patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) in the clinical setting. In this study we therefore sought (a) to determine the prevalence of symptomatic and silent perfusion defects in diabetic patients with suspected CAD and (b) to characterise the eventual predictors of abnormal perfusion. The patient population comprised 133 consecutive diabetic patients with suspected CAD who had been referred for MPS. Studies were performed with exercise (41%) or pharmacological stress testing (1-day protocol, 99m Tc-sestamibi, 201 Tl or both). We used semi-quantitative analysis (20-segment polar maps) to derive the summed stress score (SSS) and the summed difference score (SDS). Abnormal MPS (SSS≥4) was observed in 49 (37%) patients (SSS=4.9±8.4, SDS=2.4±4.7), reversible perfusion defects (SDS≥2) in 40 (30%) patients [SSS=13.3±10.9; SDS=8.0±5.6; 20% moderate to severe (SDS>4), 7% multivessel] and fixed defects in 21 (16%) patients. Results were comparable between patients with and patients without a history of chest pain. Of 75 patients without a history of chest pain, 23 (31%, 95% CI=21-42%) presented reversible defects (SSS=13.9±11.3; SDS=7.4±1.2), indicative of silent ischaemia. Reversible defects were associated with inducible ST segment depression during MPS stress (odds ratio (OR)=3.2, p<0.01). Fixed defects were associated with erectile dysfunction in males (OR=3.7, p=0.02) and lower aspirin use (OR=0.25, p=0.02). Silent stress-induced perfusion defects occurred in 31% of the patients, a rate similar to that in patients with a history of chest pain. MPS could identify these patients with a

Silent myocardial ischaemia - as evaluated by stress-induced perfusion defects on myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) in patients without a history of chest pain - is frequent in diabetes and is associated with increased rates of cardiovascular events. Its prevalence has been determined in asymptomatic diabetic patients, but remains largely unknown in diabetic patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) in the clinical setting. In this study we therefore sought (a) to determine the prevalence of symptomatic and silent perfusion defects in diabetic patients with suspected CAD and (b) to characterise the eventual predictors of abnormal perfusion. The patient population comprised 133 consecutive diabetic patients with suspected CAD who had been referred for MPS. Studies were performed with exercise (41%) or pharmacological stress testing (1-day protocol, {sup 99m}Tc-sestamibi, {sup 201}Tl or both). We used semi-quantitative analysis (20-segment polar maps) to derive the summed stress score (SSS) and the summed difference score (SDS). Abnormal MPS (SSS{>=}4) was observed in 49 (37%) patients (SSS=4.9{+-}8.4, SDS=2.4{+-}4.7), reversible perfusion defects (SDS{>=}2) in 40 (30%) patients [SSS=13.3{+-}10.9; SDS=8.0{+-}5.6; 20% moderate to severe (SDS>4), 7% multivessel] and fixed defects in 21 (16%) patients. Results were comparable between patients with and patients without a history of chest pain. Of 75 patients without a history of chest pain, 23 (31%, 95% CI=21-42%) presented reversible defects (SSS=13.9{+-}11.3; SDS=7.4{+-}1.2), indicative of silent ischaemia. Reversible defects were associated with inducible ST segment depression during MPS stress (odds ratio (OR)=3.2, p<0.01). Fixed defects were associated with erectile dysfunction in males (OR=3.7, p=0.02) and lower aspirin use (OR=0.25, p=0.02). Silent stress-induced perfusion defects occurred in 31% of the patients, a rate similar to that in patients with a history of chest pain. MPS could identify

Both decreased occipital perfusion on brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and reduction in cardiac {sup 123}I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake are characteristic features of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and potentially support the clinical diagnosis of DLB. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of these two methods for differentiation of DLB from Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study population comprised 19 patients with probable DLB and 39 patients with probable AD who underwent both SPECT with N-isopropyl-p-[{sup 123}I]iodoamphetamine and MIBG myocardial scintigraphy. Objective and quantitative measurement of perfusion in the medial occipital lobe, including the cuneus and lingual gyrus, was performed by the use of three-dimensional stereotactic surface projections. Medial occipital perfusion was significantly decreased in the DLB group compared with the AD group. The mean heart/mediastinum ratios of MIBG uptake were significantly lower in the DLB group than in the AD group. Although SPECT failed to demonstrate significant hypoperfusion in the medial occipital lobe in five patients with DLB, marked reduction of MIBG uptake was found in all patients with DLB. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that MIBG myocardial scintigraphy enabled more accurate discrimination between DLB and AD than was possible with perfusion SPECT. MIBG myocardial scintigraphy may improve the sensitivity in the detection of DLB. In particular, this method may provide a powerful differential diagnostic tool when it is difficult to distinguish cases of DLB from AD using brain perfusion SPECT. (orig.)

Both decreased occipital perfusion on brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and reduction in cardiac 123 I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake are characteristic features of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and potentially support the clinical diagnosis of DLB. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of these two methods for differentiation of DLB from Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study population comprised 19 patients with probable DLB and 39 patients with probable AD who underwent both SPECT with N-isopropyl-p-[ 123 I]iodoamphetamine and MIBG myocardial scintigraphy. Objective and quantitative measurement of perfusion in the medial occipital lobe, including the cuneus and lingual gyrus, was performed by the use of three-dimensional stereotactic surface projections. Medial occipital perfusion was significantly decreased in the DLB group compared with the AD group. The mean heart/mediastinum ratios of MIBG uptake were significantly lower in the DLB group than in the AD group. Although SPECT failed to demonstrate significant hypoperfusion in the medial occipital lobe in five patients with DLB, marked reduction of MIBG uptake was found in all patients with DLB. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that MIBG myocardial scintigraphy enabled more accurate discrimination between DLB and AD than was possible with perfusion SPECT. MIBG myocardial scintigraphy may improve the sensitivity in the detection of DLB. In particular, this method may provide a powerful differential diagnostic tool when it is difficult to distinguish cases of DLB from AD using brain perfusion SPECT. (orig.)

Our study is limited to perfusion lung scintigraphy and deals with the following in turn: - radioisotopes and their conditioning, - detection and recording equipment, - results and limits of the method. The tracers used here were radioiodine-labelled human albumin macro-aggregates and more especially technetium-labelled microspheres. Scintigraphy, which visualizes or charts the local distribution of radioactive indicators, is carried out with two kinds of apparatus, scanners and scintillation cameras. The information acquired may be accurately analysed at the same time owing to modern data processing systems. The interpretation of radiotracer lung transit curves made by several authors is not very useful for our work, consequently we have kept to the analysis of images obtained by the Anger camera or similar instruments. The Anger scintillation camera seems to be well suited to isotopic lung exploration providing morphological and functional data simultaneously. Perfusion lung scintigraphy, which reflects the quality of lung circulation at the capillary level, appears to be a valuable asset in the diagnostic approach to certain chest X-ray images. The technique is fast, painless, neat, harmless and almost never contra-indicated. However like other techniques it cannot solve every problem on its own. Under these conditions, we must admit, on weighing up the results of this study, that perfusion lung scintigraphy had to be followed in most cases by selective bronchial arteriography [fr

Detection of subclinical coronary artery disease (CAD) is a potential challenge in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and it is suggested that myocardial perfusion single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) is more sensitive than exercise test in this setting. However, the significance of perfusion abnormalities in SLE patients is not well known. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic significance of myocardial perfusion defects in patients with SLE. Patients with proven diagnosis of SLE admitted to the hospital due to noncardiac problems with no history of CAD were studied. All patients underwent 99m Tc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) myocardial perfusion scan using dipyridamole as pharmacological stress. All patients were followed up by reviewing patients file in lupus clinic and any minor or major cardiac events were recorded. Eighteen female and two male patients with mean age of 28.2±12.05 years were included. Six patients had mild reversible perfusion defects with mean summed difference score of 2.5±1.0. Pattern of reverse redistribution (reverse fill-in) was noted in three patients. Eleven patients had normal myocardial perfusion. Hypokinesia was noted in three patients on gated images. One patient with abnormal perfusion died 21 days after imaging due to on-cardiac cause. Nineteen patients were followed for a mean time of 39.2±16.0 months. No major or minor cardiac events were noted during follow-up. Three patients (one with abnormal perfusion) had at least one readmission during follow-up period. Our study showed that myocardial perfusion abnormalities are fairly frequent in SLE patients but the defects are generally mild and do not advocate an adverse prognosis. (author)

Full Text Available BACKGROUND: Both ventilation (V and perfusion (Q of the lungs are altered in asthma, but their relationships with allergen-induced airway responses and gas exchange are not well described.

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and the Society of Nuclear Medicine state that incorporation of attenuation-corrected (AC) images in myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) will improve image quality, interpretive certainty, and diagnostic accuracy. However, commonly used software packages for MPS usually include normal stress databases for non-attenuation corrected (NC) images but not for attenuation-corrected (AC) images. The aim of the study was to develop and compare different normal stress databases for MPS in relation to NC vs. AC images, male vs. female gender, and presence vs. absence of obesity. The principal hypothesis was that differences in mean count values between men and women would be smaller with AC than NC images, thereby allowing for construction and use of gender-independent AC stress database. Normal stress perfusion databases were developed with data from 126 male and 205 female patients with normal MPS. The following comparisons were performed for all patients and separately for normal weight vs. obese patients: men vs. women for AC; men vs. women for NC; AC vs. NC for men; and AC vs. NC for women. When comparing AC for men vs. women, only minor differences in mean count values were observed, and there were no differences for normal weight vs. obese patients. For all other analyses major differences were found, particularly for the inferior wall. The results support the hypothesis that it is possible to use not only gender independent but also weight independent AC stress databases

Full Text Available Background/Aim. Filtered back projection (FBP is a common way of processing myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI studies. There are artifacts in FBP which can cause falsepositive results. Iterative reconstruction (IR is developed to reduce false positive findings in MPI studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference in the number of false positive findings in MPI studies, between FBP and IR processing. Methods. We examined 107 patients with angina pectoris with MPI and coronary angiography (CAG, 77 man and 30 woman, aged 32−82. MPI studies were processed with FBP and with IR. Positive finding at MPI was visualization of the perfusion defect. Positive finding at CAG was stenosis of coronary artery. Perfusion defect at MPI without coronary artery stenosis at CAG was considered like false positive. The results were statistically analyzed with bivariate correlation, and with one sample t-test. Results. There were 20.6% normal, and 79.4% pathologic findings at FBP, 30.8% normal and 69.2% pathologic with IR and 37.4% normal and 62.6% pathologic at CAG. FBP produced 19 false-positive findings, at IR 11 false positive findings. The correlation between FBP and CAG was 0.658 (p < 0.01 and between IR and CAG 0.784 (p < 0.01. The number of false positive findings at MPI with IR was significantly lower than at FBP (p < 0.01. Conclusion. Our study shows that IR processing MPI scintigraphy has less number of false positive findings, therefore it is our choice for processing MPI studies.

One hundred fifty patients having pulmonary disease underwent pulmonary scintigraphy sequentially with sup(99m)Tc-MAA and sup(81m)Kr gases. Scintigrams of matched defect were obtained from 113 (75.3%) of the 150 patients, considered to be nonspecific universal pattern of a pulmonary disease. Scintigrams of mismatched defect (absent perfusion and homogeneous ventilation) were obtained from 20 patients (13.3%), including 6 with lung carcinoma, 3 with pulmonary embolism, 3 with connective tissue disease, 2 with aortitis syndrome and 6 with other diseases. Scintigrams of mismatch with impaired ventilation and normal perfusion were mainly seen in chronic obstructive lung diseases. Of the 10 patients with bronchial asthma, 5 had scintigrams of improved ventilation after intravenous injection of 250 mg aminophilline, but none of patients with emphysema. The combined scintigraphy has made significant contributions to diagnosis and management of patients with pulmonary disease where the chest X-ray is unhelpful.

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) perfusion brain scans with iodine-123 isopropyl iodoamphetamine (IMP) were obtained in 12 subjects who acknowledged using cocaine on a sporadic to a daily basis. The route of cocaine administration varied from nasal to intravenous. Concurrent abuse of other drugs was also reported. None of the patients were positive for human immunodeficiency virus. Brain scans demonstrated focal defects in 11 subjects, including seven who were asymptomatic, and no abnormality in one. Among the findings were scattered focal cortical deficits, which were seen in several patients and which ranged in severity from small and few to multiple and large, with a special predilection for the frontal and temporal lobes. No perfusion deficits were seen on I-123 SPECT images in five healthy volunteers. Focal alterations in cerebral perfusion are seen commonly in asymptomatic drug users, and these focal deficits are readily depicted by I-123 IMP SPECT

Full Text Available PURPOSE: Childhood post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (BO is an infrequent lung disease leading to narrowing and/or complete obliteration of small airways. Ventilation and perfusion (V/Q scan can provide both regional and global pulmonary information. However, only few retrospective researches investigating post-infectious BO involved V/Q scan, the clinical value of this method is unknown. This preliminary prospective study was aimed to evaluate the correlation of V/Q scan with disease severity, pulmonary function test results, and prognosis in children with post-infectious BO. METHODS: Twenty-five post-infectious BO children (18 boys and 7 girls; mean age, 41 months underwent V/Q scan and pulmonary function tests. Patients were followed after their inclusion. Ventilation index and perfusion index obtained from V/Q scan were used to measure pulmonary abnormalities. Spearman's rank correlation test of ventilation index and perfusion index on disease severity, lung function tests indices, and follow-up results were performed. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 4.6 years (range, 2.2 to 5.0 years. Ventilation index and perfusion index were both correlated with disease severity (r = 0.72, p<0.01 and r = 0.73, p<0.01, but only ventilation index was related to pulmonary function tests results (all p<0.05. In addition, Spearman test yielded significant correlations between perfusion index and prognosis (r = 0.77, p<0.01, and ventilation index and prognosis (r = 0.63, p = 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: For children with post-infectious BO, the present study preliminarily indicated that the degree of ventilation and perfusion abnormalities evaluated by V/Q scan may be used to assess disease severity, and may be predictive of patient's outcome.

A review of lung scintigraphy, perfusionscintigraphy with SPECT, lung ventilation SPECT, blood pool SPECT. The procedure of lung perfusion studies, radiopharmaceutical, administration and clinical applications, imaging processing .Results encountered and evaluation criteria after Biello and Pioped. Recommendations and general considerations have been studied about relation of this radiopharmaceutical with other pathologies.

Mortality rates due to coronary artery disease (CAD) have declined in recent years as result of improved prevention, diagnosis, and management. Nonetheless, CAD remains the leading cause of death worldwide with most casualties expected to occur in developing nations. Myocardial perfusion scintigr...

To estimate pulmonary hypertension in patients with various heart diseases, we devised a new method using perfusion lung scintigraphy with 99m Tc-labelled macroaggregated albumin. In this method, changes in the distribution of pulmonary perfusion caused by gravitational effects, namely, changes in the total count ratios of the right lung against the left lung between right and left lateral decubitus positions (rt/lt), were assessed in 62 patients and in 10 normal subjects. The rt/lt ratios were calculated as indices of the above changes. They correlated significantly with mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) (γ=-0.62, P<0.001), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (γ=-0.63, P<0.001) and pulmonary arteriolar resistance (γ=0.50, P<0.001) in all subjects. In 17 patients with valvular heart diseases, the ratio correlated significantly with mPAP (γ=-0.84, P<0.001). In 10 patients with various heart diseases, the U/S ratio, i.e. the index of changes in the count ratios of the upper field against the lower field for the right lung following postural change from the uprigth to the supine position, was also obtained as well as the rt/lt ratio. The latter evidenced a better correlation with mPAP (γ=-0.90, P<0.001) than the former (γ=-0.64, P<0.05). We conclude that this method is valuable as a noninvasive approach for the estimation of pulmonary hypertension. (orig.)

The pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) it is an entity common with great morbidity and mortality that it requires a diagnosis soon and specify. Commonly the ventilation gammagraphy - perfusion has been the used exam of first more frequent line when one suspects the PTE but unfortunately a great quantity of reports is called of intermediate probability, for what requires complementary studies, to confirm or to discard the diagnosis. A prospective study was made with 142 patients that had suspicion of TEP in the hospital of Vancouver (Canada) and in the hospital of Calmette (France), being carried out in all gammagraphy of ventilation-perfusion and helical CT, being only taken to lung angiography to those that not had high clinical suspicion of TEP with gammagraphy or helical CT very suggestive or tuneless, undergoing the results valuation for different observers

Fifty-two paired stress/delayed planar 201 TI studies (27 exercise studies, 25 dipyridamole studies) were processed twice by seven technologists to assess inter- and intraobserver variability. The reproducibility was inversely related to the size of 201 Tl perfusion abnormalities. Intraobserver variability was not different between exercise and dipyridamole studies for lesions of similar size. Based upon intraobserver variability, objective quantitative criteria for reversibility of perfusion abnormalities were defined. These objective criteria were tested prospectively in a separate group of 35 201 Tl studies and compared with the subjective interpretation of quantitative circumferential profiles. Overall, exact agreement existed in 78% of images (kappa statistic k = 0.66). We conclude that quantification of planar 201 Tl scans is highly reproducible, with acceptable inter- and intraobserver variability. Objective criteria for lesion reversibility correlated well with analysis by experienced observers

Radiochemical purity of 99m Tc-HM-PAO decreased rapidly after preparation. 99m Tc activity of the whole brain increased rapidly after venous injection, and changed very little after 3 minutes later. 99m Tc-HM-PAO scintigram showed the wider abnormal perfusion area than CT scanning did. Hypoperfusion area found by IMP tended to be wider than that by HM-PAO. There were no side effects observed of all cases. (author)

Combined application of dynamic and static scintigraphy is recommended by use of /sup 99m/Tc-pertechnetate, /sup 113m/In-chloride, /sup 99m/Tc-sulphur colloid, /sup 119m/In-colloid, and 67 Ga-citrate, respectively, to detect diffuse and focal affections of the liver. In patients with abscesses, echinococcus, or a cyst of the liver the blood supply in the tumor decreased tremendously or was not perceivable at all. In primary or secondary tumors the blood supply was decreased in focus, the half-life period of the preparation storage was extended, and the reception speed was decreased by 50% at most. The alteration of quantitative blood supply values by 150 - 200% and the prevalence of arterial components in liver blood supply for all segments can be considered a sign of cirrhotic liver damage. (author)

The assessment of residual myocardial viability in infarcted areas is relevant for subsequent management and prognosis but requires expensive technology. To evaluate the possibility that simple, easily obtainable clinical markers may detect the presence of within-infarct viable tissue, the significance of exercise-induced ST elevation occurring in leads exploring the area of a recent Q wave myocardial infarction was assessed. Twenty-five patients with recent (less than 6 months) myocardial infarction were studied. All had angiographically documented coronary artery disease, diagnostic Q waves (n = 24) or negative T waves (n = 25) on the rest 12-lead electrocardiogram and exhibited during exercise greater than or equal to 1.5 mm ST segment elevation (n = 17) or isolated T wave pseudonormalization (n = 8) in the infarct-related leads. ST-T wave changes were reproduced in all patients during thallium-201 exercise myocardial scintigraphy. A fixed perfusion defect was observed in 24 of the 25 patients. A reversible defect was seen in 16 (94%) of 17 patients who exhibited transient ST elevation during exercise but in only 4 (50%) of the 8 patients who had only T wave pseudonormalization. In conclusion, in patients with recent myocardial infarction, analysis of simple ST segment variables obtained during exercise testing may allow a first-line discrimination of those who may potentially benefit from a revascularization procedure.

Myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) represents a key prognostic tool, but its predictive yield is far from perfect. We developed a novel clinically relevant segmentation method and a corresponding maximal ischemia score (MIS) in order to risk-stratify patients undergoing MPS. Patients referred for MPS were identified, excluding those with evidence of myocardial necrosis or prior revascularization. A seven-region segmentation approach was adopted for left ventricular myocardium, with a corresponding MIS distinguishing five groups (no, minimal, mild, moderate, or severe ischemia). The association between MIS and clinical events was assessed at 1 year and at long-term follow-up. A total of 8,714 patients were included, with a clinical follow-up of 31 ± 20 months. Unadjusted analyses showed that subjects with a higher MIS were significantly different for several baseline and test data, being older, having lower ejection fraction, and achieving lower workloads (P < .05 for all). Adverse outcomes were also more frequent in patients with higher levels of ischemia, including cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and their composites (P < .05 for all). Differences in adverse events remained significant even after extensive multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio for each MIS increment = 1.57 [1.29-1.90], P < .001 for cardiac death; 1.19 [1.04-1.36], P = .013 for MI; 1.23 [1.09-1.39], P = .001 for cardiac death/MI). Our novel segmentation method and corresponding MIS efficiently yield satisfactory prognostic information.

By means of quantifying the nonuniform distribution of pulmonary perfusion in Lung PerfusionScintigraphy SPECT (single photon emission tomography), which is called ''SPECT'' for short, we evaluated the degree of functional impairment of pulmonary perfusion in non-operated lung cancer patients treated by the radiotherapy. Sixty-eight patients with non-operated lung cancer treated with radiotherapy, and who either received or did not receive chemotherapy, from February, 1996 to August, 2002, were examined using SPECT within 6 weeks prior to, or within 2 weeks following radiotherapy. This group was called ''irradiated lung cancer patients''. Twenty-six patients, who were called ''follow-up irradiated lung cancer patients'', were reexamined within four weeks after radiotherapy. On the other hand, 323 patients without lung cancer, who were subdivided into four groups; pulmonary, cardiac, cardio-pulmonary, and non-cardiopulmonary. The SPECT was examined in the supine position after infusing Tc-99m-MAA, 185 MBq in a bolus, mainly into an antecubital vein with the patient's arm elevated. From reconstructed SPECT images, the volume of lung as a whole calculated at 10% of thresholds was assumed to be the ''Baseline Lung Perfusion Volume'' (BPV), and the functional volume rates were calculated in 10% threshold widths from 10% to 100% of the threshold. Assuming the total absolute differences in functional volume rate between each subject and the control to be the distribution index of the lung as a whole (D index), we quantified the degree of nonuniform distribution of the lung as a whole in each subject. In the same way, the distribution index of the left or right lung respectively was calculated as D l or D r index assuming the volume of left or right lung were calculated at 10% of the threshold as left or right BPV and calculating the functional volume rates of each lung in 10% threshold widths from 10% to 100% of the threshold. The D index of irradiated lung cancer

Objective To develop a study aiming at optimizing myocardial perfusion imaging. Materials and Methods Imaging of an anthropomorphic thorax phantom with a GE SPECT Ventri gamma camera, with varied activities and acquisition times, in order to evaluate the influence of these parameters on the quality of the reconstructed medical images. The 99mTc-sestamibi radiotracer was utilized, and then the images were clinically evaluated on the basis of data such as summed stress score, and on the technical image quality and perfusion. The software ImageJ was utilized in the data quantification. Results The results demonstrated that for the standard acquisition time utilized in the procedure (15 seconds per angle), the injected activity could be reduced by 33.34%. Additionally, even if the standard scan time is reduced by 53.34% (7 seconds per angle), the standard injected activity could still be reduced by 16.67%, without impairing the image quality and the diagnostic reliability. Conclusion The described method and respective results provide a basis for the development of a clinical trial of patients in an optimized protocol. PMID:25741088

The present study includes 16 patients with symptoms related to cerebrovascular insufficiency, who were randomly selected from out outpatient clinic of internal medicine. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with 111∼185 MBq (3∼5 mCi) of N-isopropyl-p-[ 123 I]-iodoamphetamine (IMP) was performed 20 min and 3 hr after intravenous administration of the tracer, and compared to the image of conventional X-ray computed tomography (X-CT). Out of twelve cases with significant findings in X-CT, 9 showed corresponding changes in perfusion in SPECT with IMP, and the remaining 3 did not. In a patient with cerebral infarction, SPECT revealed a perfusion defect whereas her X-CT was negative, thereby proved to be useful in determining the focus of clinically suspected stroke. There were some other cases in which findings in SPECT and X-CT were discordant. From our series of scans, SPECT seemed useful in detecting responsible sites of neurological deficits in early and, occasionally, remote phases of cerebrovascular accidents, while X-CT appeared superior in finding smaller lesions. (author)

Objective: to develop a study aiming at optimizing myocardial perfusion imaging. Materials and Methods: imaging of an anthropomorphic thorax phantom with a GE SPECT Ventri gamma camera, with varied activities and acquisition times, in order to evaluate the influence of these parameters on the quality of the reconstructed medical images. The {sup 99m}Tc-sestamibi radiotracer was utilized, and then the images were clinically evaluated on the basis of data such as summed stress score, and on the technical image quality and perfusion. The software ImageJ was utilized in the data quantification. Results: the results demonstrated that for the standard acquisition time utilized in the procedure (15 seconds per angle), the injected activity could be reduced by 33.34%. Additionally, even if the standard scan time is reduced by 53.34% (7 seconds per angle), the standard injected activity could still be reduced by 16.67%, without impairing the image quality and the diagnostic reliability. Conclusion: the described method and respective results provide a basis for the development of a clinical trial of patients in an optimized protocol. (author)

The present study includes 16 patients with symptoms related to cerebrovascular insufficiency, who were randomly selected from out outpatient clinic of internal medicine. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with 111{approx}185 MBq (3{approx}5 mCi) of N-isopropyl-p-({sup 123}I)-iodoamphetamine (IMP) was performed 20 min and 3 hr after intravenous administration of the tracer, and compared to the image of conventional X-ray computed tomography (X-CT). Out of twelve cases with significant findings in X-CT, 9 showed corresponding changes in perfusion in SPECT with IMP, and the remaining 3 did not. In a patient with cerebral infarction, SPECT revealed a perfusion defect whereas her X-CT was negative, thereby proved to be useful in determining the focus of clinically suspected stroke. There were some other cases in which findings in SPECT and X-CT were discordant. From our series of scans, SPECT seemed useful in detecting responsible sites of neurological deficits in early and, occasionally, remote phases of cerebrovascular accidents, while X-CT appeared superior in finding smaller lesions. (author).

In children with asthma, the authors quantified the extent of the obstructive lung disease by calculating a time to peak (TTP) and mean transit time (MTT) image. In this paper compare the results to common pulmonary function tests. The authors studied 17 children twice: first, after the initial intravenous therapy after an asthmatic attach and, second, before discharge from the hospital. After intravenous injection of 185-370 MBq of Xe-133, a dynamic computer acquisition was performed, and a TTP and MTT image were calculated. The authors were able to estimate the extent, intensity (qualified by the MTT), and location of the ventilation disorder as well as the changes of perfusion (expressed by the TTP) in sever disease

Fourty-six patients suspected clinically of having a pulmonary embolism (PE) were investigated by angiopneumography (AGP) and perfusion (99m-Tc aggregates) and ventilation (99m-Tc colloid) scintigraohy (SPV Tc). Findings were assessed under blind conditions. A positive diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was made in 19 patients. The SPV Tc was considered as positive if perfusional deficiencies were greater than ventilatory defects, and this was evaluated as such in 23 cases (19 true and 4 false positives). False negatives were not observed. The 4 false positive results corresponded to scintigraphic anomalies suggestive of pulmonary emboli subsegmental in size; true positives were either subsegmental (8), segmental (6) or lobar (5). Sensitivity of the SPV Tc was therefore 100 %; its specificity, all results considered was 76 %, but was 100 % if only images of lobar or segmental lesions are considered [fr

To estimate pulmonary hypertension, we measured postural differences in pulmonary blood flow for the lateral decubitus positions on perfusion lung scintigrams with Tc-99 m macro-aggregated albumin, applying the method devised by Tanaka et al (Eur J Nucl Med 17: 320-326, 1990). Utilizing a scintillation camera coupled to a minicomputer system, changes in the distribution of pulmonary blood flow caused by gravitational effects, namely, changes in the total count ratios for the right lung versus the left lung in the right and left lateral decubitus positions (R/L), were obtained for 44 patients with lung disease, 95 patients with valvular heart disease, and 23 normal subjects. Mean standard deviation in the R/L ratios was 3.09{+-}1.28 for the normal subjects, 1.97{+-}0.89 for the patients with lung disease, and 1.59{+-}0.59 for the patients with valvular heart disease. The R/L ratios correlated with mean pulmonary arterial pressure and cardio-thoracic ratios in the lung disease and valvular heart disease groups, with pulmonary arteriolar resistance in the former, and with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in the latter. Defining pulmonary hypertension (>20 mmHg) as an R/L ratio of less than 1.81, which is the mean-1 standard deviation for normal subjects, the sensitivity and the specificity of the R/L ratio for the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension were 62.9% and 76.2%, respectively, for the lung disease patients, and 80.3% and 61.8%, respectively, for the valvular heart disease patients. This method seems to be useful for the pathophysiologic evaluation of pulmonary perfusion in cases of lung disease and valvular heart disease. (author)

To estimate pulmonary hypertension, we measured postural differences in pulmonary blood flow for the lateral decubitus positions on perfusion lung scintigrams with Tc-99 m macro-aggregated albumin, applying the method devised by Tanaka et al (Eur J Nucl Med 17: 320-326, 1990). Utilizing a scintillation camera coupled to a minicomputer system, changes in the distribution of pulmonary blood flow caused by gravitational effects, namely, changes in the total count ratios for the right lung versus the left lung in the right and left lateral decubitus positions (R/L), were obtained for 44 patients with lung disease, 95 patients with valvular heart disease, and 23 normal subjects. Mean standard deviation in the R/L ratios was 3.09±1.28 for the normal subjects, 1.97±0.89 for the patients with lung disease, and 1.59±0.59 for the patients with valvular heart disease. The R/L ratios correlated with mean pulmonary arterial pressure and cardio-thoracic ratios in the lung disease and valvular heart disease groups, with pulmonary arteriolar resistance in the former, and with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in the latter. Defining pulmonary hypertension (>20 mmHg) as an R/L ratio of less than 1.81, which is the mean-1 standard deviation for normal subjects, the sensitivity and the specificity of the R/L ratio for the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension were 62.9% and 76.2%, respectively, for the lung disease patients, and 80.3% and 61.8%, respectively, for the valvular heart disease patients. This method seems to be useful for the pathophysiologic evaluation of pulmonary perfusion in cases of lung disease and valvular heart disease. (author)

Introduction: One of the limitations of nuclear medicine studies are false-positive results that lead to unnecessary exams and procedures associated to morbidity and costs to the individual and society. One of the most frequent causes for reducing the specificity of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is photon attenuation, especially by breast in women. Objective: To develop a new technique to compensate the photon attenuation by women breasts in myocardial perfusion imaging with 99m Tc-sestamibi, using computational methods. Materials and methods: A procedure was proposed which integrates Monte Carlo simulation, computational methods and experimental techniques. Initially, were obtained the chest attenuation correction percentages using a phantom Jaszczak and breast attenuation percentages by Monte Carlo simulation method, using the EGS4 program. The percentages of attenuation correction were linked to individual patients' characteristics by an artificial neural network and a multivariate analysis. A preliminary technical validation was done by comparing the results of the MPI and catheterism (CAT), before and after applying the technique to 4 patients. The t test for parametric data, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney and X 2 for the others were used. Probability values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Each increment of 1 cm in the thickness of breast was associated to an average increment of 6% on photon attenuation, while the maximum increase related to breast composition was about 2%. The average chest attenuation percentage per unit was 2.9%. Both, the artificial neural network and linear regression, showed an error less than 3% as predictive models for percentage of female attenuation. The anatomical-functional correlation between MPI and CAT was maintained after the use of the technique. Conclusion: Results suggest that the proposed technique is promising and could be a possible alternative to other conventional methods employed

Pharmacological stress imaging techniques are used widely in clinical nuclear cardiology for evaluation of ischemic heart disease. Adenosine is often used but is expensive and causes significant side effects .The aim of this retrospective review was to study the tolerance and efficacy, of adenosine infusion of a 3 minute (min) versus the conventional 6 min stress protocol and to assess the cost efficiency of the 3 min protocol. Three hundred thirty one patients had myocardial scintigraphy using adenosine as a stressing agent. Blood pressure, heart rate and ECG were recorded at baseline and during the test. Symptoms (flushing, headache, chest pain, dyspnoea, neck pain) were recorded throughout the adenosine infusion. All the patients had had either 6 min or 3 min adenosine infusion at 140 mg/kg per minute. 169 of them had side effects. Flushing (32% at 3 min vs 50 % at 6 min, p<0.05), headache (11.5% at 3 min vs 7 % at 6 min p-not significant-ns), chest pain (8% at 3 min vs 13 % at 6 min, ns), dyspnoea (7% at 3 min vs %10 at 6 min, ns), ECG changes (10% at 3 min vs 28% at 6 min, p<0.05), neck pain (4.5% at 3 min vs 9% at 6 min, ns), abdominal discomfort (3% at 3 min vs 3% at 6 min, ns) and fall in blood pressure (6% at 3 min vs 8.5% at 6 min, ns). The change in heart rate was not significant with either protocol. The 6 min and 3 min infusions of adenosine had similar accuracy (73% vs 70%) for the detection of coronary artery disease. The patients tolerated the 3 min protocol better with only 40% of the patients having minimal side effects compared with 60% for the 6 mon protocol. The 3 min protocol is also cost effective as it uses less adenosine and therefore reduces total costs by 40 US$ per patient. (author)

Full Text Available The estimation of tissue perfusion as a hemodynamic consequence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD in diabetic patients is of great importance in the management of these patients.We present a noninvasive, functional method of 99mTc-MIBI (methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile tissue-muscle perfusionscintigraphy (TMPS of the lower limbs, which assesses tissue perfusion in basal conditions (“rest” study and exercise conditions (“stress” study. Emphasis is given on perfusion reserve (PR as an important indicator of preservation of microcirculation and its local autoregulatory mechanisms in PAD. We present a case of a 71-year-old male diabetic patient with skin ulcers of the right foot and an ankle-brachial index >1.2 (0.9-1.1. Dynamic phase TMPS of the lower limbs showed decreased and late arterial vascularization of the right calf (RC with lower percentage of radioactivity in the 1st minute: RC 66%, left calf (LC 84%. PR was borderline with a value of 57% for LC and decreased for RC (42%. Functional assessment of hemodynamic consequences of PAD is important in evaluating both advanced and early PAD, especially the asymptomatic form. The method used to determine the TMPS of the lower limbs, can differentiate subtle changes in microcirculation and tissue perfusion

Myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has been used for risk stratification before non-cardiac surgery. However, few authors have used mathematical models for evaluating the likelihood of perioperative cardiac events. This retrospective cohort study collected data of 1,351 patients referred for SPECT before non-cardiac surgery. We generated binary classifiers using support vector machine (SVM) and conventional linear models for predicting perioperative cardiac events. We used clinical and surgical risk, and SPECT findings as input data, and the occurrence of all and hard cardiac events as output data. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated for assessing the prediction accuracy. The AUC values were 0.884 and 0.748 in the SVM and linear models, respectively in predicting all cardiac events with clinical and surgical risk, and SPECT variables. The values were 0.861 (SVM) and 0.677 (linear) when not using SPECT data as input. In hard events, the AUC values were 0.892 (SVM) and 0.864 (linear) with SPECT, and 0.867 (SVM) and 0.768 (linear) without SPECT. The SVM was superior to the linear model in risk stratification. We also found an incremental prognostic value of SPECT results over information about clinical and surgical risk. (author)

Aim: Left ventricular volume and function can be computed from gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging using emory cardiac toolbox (ECT) or gated SPECT quantification (GS-Quant). The aim of this study was to compare both programs with respect to their practical application, stability and precision on heart-models as well as in clinical use. Methods: The volumes of five cardiac models were calculated by ECT and GS-Quant. 48 patients (13 female, 35 male) underwent a one day stress-rest protocol and gated SPECT. From these 96 gated SPECT images, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV) were estimated by ECT and GS-Quant. For 42 patients LVEF was also determined by echocardiography. Results: For the cardiac models the computed volumes showed high correlation with the model-volumes as well as high correlation between ECT and GS-Quant (r ≥0.99). Both programs underestimated the volume by approximately 20-30% independent of the ventricle-size. Calculating LVEF, EDV and ESV, GS-Quant and ECT correlated well to each other and to the LVEF estimated by echocardiography (r ≥0.86). LVEF values determined with ECT were about 10% higher than values determined with GS-Quant or echocardiography. The incorrect surfaces calculated by the automatic algorithm of GS-Quant for three examinations could not be corrected manually. 34 of the ECT studies were optimized by the operator. Conclusion: GS-Quant and ECT are two reliable programs in estimating LVEF. Both seem to underestimate the cardiac volume. In practical application GS-Quant was faster and easier to use. ECT allows the user to define the contour of the ventricle and thus is less susceptible to artifacts. (orig.) [de

Background: The Bayesian (probabilistic) approach to the results of a diagnostic test appears to be more informative than an interpretation of results in binary terms (having disease or not). The aim of our study was the analysis of the effect of an optimised evaluation of myocardium perfusion scintigrams on the probability of CAD in individual patients. Methods: 197 patients (132 males and 65 females) suspected of CAD, with no history of myocardial infarction were examined. Scintigraphic images were evaluated applying two methods of analysis: visual (semiquantitative) and quantitative, and the combination of both. The sensitivity and specificity of both methods (and their combination) in the detection of CAD were determined and optimal methods of scintigram evaluation, separately for males and females, were selected. All patients were subjected to coronary angiography. The pre-test probability of CAD was assessed according to Diamond (1) and the post-test probability was evaluated in accordance with Bayes's theorem. Patients were divided, according to a pre-test probability of CAD, into 3 groups: with low, medium and high probability of the disease. The same subdivision was made in relation to post-test probability of CAD. The numbers of patients in respective subgroups, before and after the test, were compared. Moreover, in order to test the reliability of post-test probability, its values were compared with real percentages of CAD occurrence among the patients under study, as demonstrated by the angiography. Results: The combination of visual and quantitative methods was accepted as the optimal method of male scintigram evaluation (with sensitivity and specificity equalling 95% and 82%, respectively) and a sole quantitative analysis as the optimal method of female scintigram evaluation (sensitivity and specificity amounted to 81% and 84%, respectively). In the subgroup of males the percentage of individuals with medium pre-test CAD probability equalled 52 and

Aim: Plasma Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) has been known as a promising marker of ventricular dysfunction in cardiac patients. There are conflicting reports about its response to exercise testing. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the exercise induced changes in BNP, Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) and Endothelin-1 (E) levels and their correlation with perfusion abnormalities on myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS). Materials and Methods: Study group consisted of 35 patients (mean age=53.9+11.8) who underwent MPS with suspicion or diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Plasma levels of BNP, ANP, and E were measured at rest and after symptom-limited ergometry. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of perfusion abnormality (i.e. ischemia or infarction) on MPS. Results: BNP, ANP and E levels did not change significantly with exercise, however baseline levels of BNP, ANP levels and peak-exercise level of BNP in patients with perfusion abnormalities were significantly higher. Hypertensive patients with or without perfusion abnormalities had higher baseline BNP, ANP levels, and peak-exercise BNP levels compared to normotensives. BNP levels at rest and after exercise had a significant correlation with age (r=0.57, p=0.04; r=0.58, p=0.04), as well as baseline ANP values (r=0.37, p=0.033). Highest baseline BNP, ANP and exercise BNP levels were observed in patients with infarction. Conclusion: Exercise-testing did not induce significant changes in plasma levels of BNP, ANP and E. Higher BNP levels had correlation with the presence of ischemia, infarction and hypertension, as well as, increasing age

The objective of this scientific work was to evaluate the extent and severity of perfusion abnormalities on myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) at rest and with sublingual nitroglycerine, in relation to the presence and anatomical location of collaterals demonstrated by selective coronary angiography (SCA). Twenty-eight patients with unstable angina underwent selective coronary angiography. Eighteen of them were diagnosed with myocardial infarction (MI) 2–15 days prior to examination. Presence or absence of collaterals was noted, with anatomical depiction of donor and recipient arteries as well as evaluation of degree of collateral flow. As an inclusion criterion, collateral flow had to be grade 2 (partial epicardial filling of the occluded artery) or 3 (complete epicardial filling of the occluded artery) in accordance with the Rentrop collateral flow classification. Flow was noted as follows: Complete antegrade (CA), complete retrograde (CR), partial antegrade (PA), and partial retrograde (PR). Myocardial perfusionscintigraphy using Tc-99m Sestamibi at rest and after sublingual administration of nitroglycerine was performed according to a 2-day protocol. Perfusion abnormalities, which were quantified using the 20-segments model and visual 5-point system (0, normal perfusion; 4, absent perfusion), were analyzed according to donor's and recipient's territories, as well as territories with limited or without collateral flow (PA/PR, grade 0–1 flow). A total of 84 arteries were analyzed, with stenosis in 79 of them. Arteries were divided into three groups: Donors (group I), recipients (group II), and arteries with limited or without collaterals (group III). In group I, there were 28 donor arteries, with mean severity of stenosis 71.3 ± 0.65%. In group II, there were 36 recipient arteries and mean severity of stenosis was 94.8 ± 0.26%. In group III, there were 20 arteries, and all of them had either no or poorly developed collaterals (mean severity

There is a controversy regarding the investigation of patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE). To compare the cost-effectiveness of alternative methods of diagnosing acute PE, chest helical computed tomography (CT) alone and in combination with venous ultrasound (US) of legs and pulmonary angiography (PA) were compared to a conventional algorithm using ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy supplemented in selected cases by US and PA. A decision-analytical model was constructed to model the costs and effects of the three diagnostic strategies in a hypothetical cohort of 1000 patients each. Transition probabilities were based on published data. Life years gained by each strategy were estimated from published mortality rates. Schedule fees were used to estimate costs. The V/Q protocol is both more expensive and more effective than CT alone resulting in 20.1 additional lives saved at a (discounted) cost of $940 per life year gained. An additional 2.5 lives can be saved if CT replaces V/Q scintigraphy in the diagnostic algorithm but at a cost of $23,905 per life year saved. It resulted that the more effective diagnostic strategies are also more expensive. In patients with suspected PE, the incremental cost-effectiveness of the V/Q based strategy over CT alone is reasonable in comparison with other health interventions. The cost-effectiveness of the supplemented CT strategy is more questionable. Copyright (2000) The Australasian College of Physicians

Among the various methods of image diagnosis of the cardiovascular disorder, nuclear cardiology provides noninvasive means for evaluation of myocardial perfusion as well as morphological and functional informations. In this article, clinical application and image diagnosis of myocardial scintigraphy including Tl-201 myocardial perfusionscintigraphy, single photon emission computed tomography with Tl-201, acute myocardial infarction scintigraphy with Tc-99m-pyrophosphate and Ga-67 imaging of the heart, were discussed. Multiplanar imaging of the heart with Tl-201 after stress and at redistribution was the accepted method for detection and evaluation of the ischemic heart disease. Although it achieved high sensitivity and specificity for ischemic heart disease, detection of the small ischemia and quantation of the regional Tl-201 accumulation were difficult with conventional multiplanar imaging. Application of emission computed tomography improved detectability and quantitativity of the ischemia. However, 7-pinhole tomography did not increase the diagnostic accuracy significantly. It had limited clinical applicability due to poor quantitativity in spite of improved image contrast and its tomographic nature. Advantage and limitation of these tomographic imaging and multiplanar imaging were discussed. Problems and prognostic significance of pyrophosphate imaging of the acute myocardial infarction were also discussed. Visualization of the heart with Ga-67 was helpful for identification of the tumor or inflammation of the heart as well as evaluation of the effect of the therapy. (author)

Using 123 I-ω-heptadecanoic acid (HDA) and 201 Tl, respectively, myocardial fatty acid metabolism and perfusion were studied in 51 symptomatic patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) as diagnosed by ventriculography, and no evidence of coronary artery disease. Twelve subjects with normal coronary arteries and normal ventriculogram served as a control group for the evaluation of elimination kinetics of HDA. In the control group, the mean elimination half-life was 26.1±3.6 min, whereas the patients with MVP had a mean value of 25.0±6.4 min. In patients with MVP, a high incidence concerning abnormalities of accumulation and/or elimination of HDA occurred, namely accumulation defects in 31% and both prolonged and shortened elimination half-lives in 16% and 29%, respectively. Myocardial perfusionscintigraphy using 201 Tl showed abnormalities in 76%. Correlations were found between decreased uptake of HDA and prolonged elimination half-life as well as defects by 201 Tl, presumably due to ischemia based on small-vessel disease or abnormalities of cellular metabolism. (orig.) [de

Thallium-201 myocardial perfusionscintigraphy was performed after exercise, 4 hours after exercise (redistribution) and after a separate rest injection in 87 patients undergoing coronary arteriography. Significant coronary lesions were present in 62 of the patients. Interpretation of the rest and redistribution scintiscans was the same in 69 patients, 45 of whom had coronary artery disease (CAD). In 16 of the 17 patients with CAD and differing interpretations, defects were present on redistribution scintiscans but not on rest scintiscans; 11 of these patients had evidence of prior transmural myocardial infarction and the other five had an occluded coronary artery supplying the region of the defect. Redistribution scintiscans were more sensitive than rest scintiscans for the detection of prior myocardial infarction (93% vs 54%; P < 0.01). The increased sensitivity was confined to the detection of prior inferior myocardial infarctions. In 36 of 38 patients with persistent perfusion defects on 4-hour redistribution scintiscans, either a prior infarction or an occluded coronary vessel was present. These data demonstrate that redistribution thallium-201 scintiscans may be substituted for conventional rest scintiscans, resulting in reduced cost and radiation exposure to the patients

Thirty patients with precordial pain and mitral valve prolapse diagnosed by cineangiography and M-mode echocardiography were submitted to Thallium-201 myocardial stress perfusion scintillography. They were divided into two groups: group I - eighteen patients with mitral valve prolapse and normal coronary arteries, of which ten presented positive exercise stress test (55.6%); eight patients had a negative exercise test. Thallium-201 myocardial stress perfusion scintillagraphy was normal in 14 (77.8%) patients, and four with positive stress perfursion scintillography, (three with inferior perfusion defects and one with a lateral one); group II - twelve patients with mitral valve prolapse and severe coronary artery disease (stenosis >= 60% in at least one main vessel of the coronary circulation), of which nine presented positive exercise stress test (75%) and three negative. Thallium-201 exercise myocardial perfusion scintillography was abnormal in nine (75%), six with stress induced ischemia and three with resting defect. Myocardial perfusion scintillography with Thallium-201 was more sensitive to detect the presence of coronary artery disease in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) than the exercise stress test in spite of the fact that a small number of patients (22%) with MVP and normal coronary arteries exhibited abnormal myocardial stress perfusion during scintillography. (Author) [pt

Full Text Available INTRODUCTION: An association between psychological factors and cardiovascular disease, has long been suspected. However it is not clear whether chest pain is caused by emotional distress or whether coronary spasms are caused by the onset of coronary artery disease (CAD. We aimed to predict the risk for CAD in patients referred to myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI with chest pain using depression, stress, and anxiety symptoms. METHODS: The emotional status of all patients was evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A and HADS-D, the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-1 and STAI-2, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS, and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI. Myocardial perfusion was measured using a 17-segment model and 5-point scoring system (0: normal perfusion; 4: no perfusion. RESULTS: MPI revealed reversible perfusion defects in 24 of 141 patients and no perfusion defects in 117 patients. The STAI-2 and HADS-A and HADS-D scores were significantly higher in patients with myocardial ischemia than in those without (STAI-2: 50.8 ± 7.5 vs. 46.3 ± 7.1, respectively; p = 0.008; HADS-A: 9.5 ± 3.9 vs. 7.8 ± 3.4, respectively; p = 0.033; HADS-D: 8.7 ± 3.0 vs. 7.3 ± 3.0, respectively; p = 0.05. Unadjusted correlation analysis showed that there was statistically significant correlation between reversible perfusion defects and anxiety scores (r=0.186, p= 0.029. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The patients with symptoms of depression and high-trait anxiety may be at higher risk of myocardial ischemia than patients without such symptoms. Thus, the emotional status of patients should be taken into consideration during clinical evaluation for CAD.

Full Text Available Introduction and Objectives: Microvascular angina is common in postmenopausal women. Myocardial ischemia was induced by stress testing, and reports have been published about the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and myocardial perfusion. The objective of this research was to determine whether myocardial ischemia can be evidenced by abnormalities in perfusion and function, as detected by myocardial scintigraphy in women with typical angina, normal coronary angiography and endothelial dysfunction. Methods: 59 women underwent lipid and endothelial function measurements by brachial artery ultrasound, in addition, a 24-hour ECG study (Holter. During the scintigraphy a stress-rest protocol was applied. Patients were divided into two groups according to presence (group I or absence (group II of myocardial perfusion defects. Results: 21 patients showed perfusion defects. 57 % of group I exhibited greater endothelial dysfunction. Only twelve patients showed reversible perfusion defects, and 75 % of the cases was associated with a reduction of post-stress left ventricular ejection fraction, greater than 5 %, and regional abnormalities of wall motion. Three patients in group I showed evidence of ischemia compared with four in Group II. Conclusions: The stress-induced ischemia was associated with a reduced post-stress ejection fraction and endothelial dysfunction in the studied women, and no ischemic changes in the Holter were found.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate a possible correlation between areas of lung attenuation, found in minimum intensity projection (Min-IP) reconstruction images performed with high resolution computed tomography without contrast medium (HRCT), and areas of lung perfusion alteration, found in lung perfusionscintigraphy (LPS). Materials and methods: Two independent radiologists, unaware of LPS results, evaluated retrospectively a group of 113 patients affected by pulmonary hypertension (HP) of different aetiology. These have been examined in a period of two years in our centre both by spiral computed tomography (CT) with and without contrast-medium and by LPS. The final diagnosis was determined on clinical data, right heart catheterisation and contrast enhanced CT in angiographic phase (CTPA). We reconstructed the Min-IP images of lung parenchyma in all the cases both in HRCT without contrast-medium, and in contrast enhanced CT in angiographic phase (CTPA) in axial, sagittal and coronal planes. The obtained images were qualitatively graded into three categories of pulmonary attenuation: homogeneous, inhomogeneous with non-segmental patchy defects, inhomogeneous with segmental defects. The same criteria of classification were used also for LPS images. In the group of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) we also compared the number of areas of lung attenuation found in Min-IP images in HRCT without contrast-medium, and their exact localization, with not perfused areas in LPS. Gold standard for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was spiral contrast enhanced CT in angiographic phase (CTPA). Results: In all cases we found exact correspondence between the Min-IP images in HRCT with and without contras agent. The attenuation pattern seen on Min-IP images was concordant with those of LPS in 96 out of 113 patients (85%). In the remaining 17 cases (15%) it was discordant: in 12 cases inhomogeneous in Min-IP images (7 with non

The S1 guideline for lung scintigraphy has been updated and extended in order to emphasize the advantages oft the method in detecting acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in the periphery oft the lung (subsegmental PE), in underlying subacute and chronic pulmonary disorders, as well as in detecting chronic LE (CTEPH). Method of choice is ventilation / perfusion (V/P) SPECT or V/P SPECT/CT with even higher specificity. Because of its high sensitivity, a threshold (V/P mismatch in at least one segment or two subsegments) is introduced to avoid overtreatment. In case of a change in the therapeutic approach (observation only instead of anticoaculation) the threshold can be omitted. New data concerning the clinical and therapeutical impact of subsegmental PE are included, the chapters open questions have been extented. Other indications for V/P SPECT (secondary diagnoses, abnormalities in pulmonary perfusion, prediction of postoperative lung function) are presented with new data. Schattauer GmbH.

It has been shown that both rest and stress myocardial perfusion imaging with technetium agents can be performed on the same day using two different doses injected within few hours. The purpose of this study was to compare the two protocols (stress-rest and rest-stress) in detecting coronary artery diseases. One hundred and sixty patients (101 males, 59 females, mean age 57±9 years) and 120 patients (79 males, 41 females, mean age 59±10 years) underwent stress-rest myocardial perfusion SPECT and rest-stress myocardial perfusion SPECT, respectively. All of them underwent both myocardial perfusion SPECT and coronary angiography within 1 month. A coronary stenosis was considered significant when it compromised the luminal diameter by ≥50%. The chi square test was used to compare differences in sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between the two groups. The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of stress-rest protocol were 99%, 35% and 68%, respectively. Those of rest-stress protocol were 96%, 47% and 78%, respectively. There was no difference between the two protocols in identifying individual diseased coronary artery branches. Therefore, one day stress-rest and rest-stress myocardial SPECT using 99m Tc agents were comparable and were very sensitive tests in detecting coronary artery diseases

To investigate DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in blood lymphocytes induced by two-day 99m Tc-MIBI myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) using y-H2AX immunofluorescence microscopy and to correlate the results with 99m Tc activity in blood samples. Eleven patients who underwent two-day MPS were included. DSB blood sampling was performed before and 5min, 1h and 24h after the first and second radiotracer injections. 99m Tc activity was measured in each blood sample. For immunofluorescence microscopy, distinct foci representing DSBs were quantified in lymphocytes after staining for the phosphorylated histone variant y-H2AX. The 99m Tc-MIBI activity measured on days one and two was similar (254±25 and 258±27 MBq; p=0.594). Compared with baseline DSB foci (0.09±0.05/cell), a significant increase was found at 5min (0.19±0.04/cell) and 1h (0.18±0.04/cell) after the first injection and at 5min and 1h after the second injection (0.21±0.03 and 0.19±0.04/cell, respectively; p=0.003 for both). At 24h after the first and second injections, the number of DSB foci had returned to baseline (0.06±0.02 and 0.12±0.05/cell, respectively). 99m Tc activity levels in peripheral blood samples correlated well with DSB counts (r=0.451). DSB counts reflect 99m Tc-MIBI activity after injection for two-day MPS, and might allow individual monitoring of biological effects of cardiac nuclear imaging. • Myocardial perfusionscintigraphy using 99m Tc induces time-dependent double-strand breaks (DSBs) • γ-H2AX immunofluorescence microscopy shows DSB as an early response to radiotracer injection • Activity measurements of 99m Tc correlate well with detected DSB • DSB foci induced by 99m Tc return to baseline 24h after radiotracer injection.

Viability studies are often performed in patients receiving beta-blocking agents. However, the intake of beta-blocking agents could influence the identification of viable myocardium when low-dose dobutamine is used to demonstrate inotropic reserve. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of beta-blockade on global and regional left ventricular function in healthy volunteers using low-dose dobutamine gated single-photon emission tomographic (SPET) myocardial perfusionscintigraphy. Ten subjects were studied once ''on'' and once ''off'' beta-blocker therapy (metoprolol succinate, 100 mg day{sup -1}). On each occasion four consecutive gated SPET acquisitions (of 7 min duration) were recorded after injection of 925 MBq technetium-99m tetrofosmin on a triple-headed camera equipped with focussing (Cardiofocal) collimators. Acquisitions were made at rest (baseline 1 and 2) and 5 min after the beginning of the infusion of 5 and 10 {mu}g kg{sup -1} min{sup -1} dobutamine. Wall thickening (WT) was quantified using a method based on circumferential profile analysis. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was obtained using the Cedars-Sinai algorithm. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded at the end of each acquisition. At baseline LVEF, WT and systolic BP values under beta-blockade were not significantly different from those obtained in the non-beta-blocked state. The mean HR and diastolic BP at baseline were lower under beta-blockade. Dobutamine administration (at 5 and 10 {mu}g kg{sup -1} min{sup -1}) induced a significant increase in WT, LVEF and systolic BP in all subjects both on and off beta-blockade. The increases in WT, LVEF and systolic BP in the beta-blocked state were less pronounced but not significantly different. HR increased significantly at 10 {mu}g kg{sup -1} min{sup -1} dobutamine without beta-blocker administration, while no increase in HR was observed in the beta-blocked state. Beta

This study evaluated the quality of the 99m Tc-MIBI radiopharmaceutical from different manufacturers, used in three nuclear medicine services (NMS) in Recife-PE, through labeling procedure of each service. It was observed their biodistribution by quantifying the activity present in the organs of interest (heart / liver), the influence and interference in image quality and in myocardial scintigraphy diagnosis exam. In these NMS (A, B and C) were done quality controls in the eluates of 99 Mo/ 99m Tc generators (radionuclidic, chemical and radiochemical purity and pH) and of the 99m Tc-MIBI radiopharmaceutical (radiochemical purity and pH) used in myocardial scintigraphy exam. In the case of radiochemical purity (RCP), was used the thin layer chromatography technique; after the chromatographic ran on, the plates were analyzed both in the dose calibrator, and in scintillation camera of each NMS. The radiopharmaceutical biodistribution was evaluated through the activities present in the heart and liver images in 60 patients, using the technique of combined images counting. Five nuclear physicians analyzed 24 images through myocardial perfusion visual interpretation during stress, it was verified the agreement degree among them. The results of the quality control showed that all eluate samples were in agreement with the manufacturers in relation to radionuclidic purity and pH. In relation to chemical purity, 10% of the services samples B and C showed Al +3 values above 10 ppm. In the RCP, it was observed that using the scintillation camera, only 22% of the samples would be discarded, while with dose calibrator would be 78%, indicating that the scintillation camera is more sensitive in chromatographic pale analysis. For the labeled radiopharmaceutical, the services B and C presented respectively one and three samples with RCP percentage below 90%. However, C service presented the lowest medium to liver/heart proportions, showing that this factor does not depends on the

The effect of cardiac rehabilitation (mean 70±48 months) on myocardial perfusion was assessed using thallium-201 ( 201 Tl) exercise study in 63 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Subjects were those in a rehabilitation group (Rh=42) participating in supervised sports training two to three times per week and the control group (Ct=21) not taking active daily exercise. The interval between two 201 Tl SPECT studies was 19±16 months. After physical training, total duration of the exercise test increased from 443±112 to 536±121 seconds (+19%) in the Rh group, and from 484±129 to 432±115 seconds in the Ct group (-10.7%) (p 2 to 269.8±58 x 10 2 in the Rh group and decreased from 218.7±40 x 10 2 to 216.6±76 x 10 2 (p 201 Tl myocardial perfusion defect on exercise improved more in 54.8% (stress 59.5%, rest 35.7%) in the Rh group than in the Ct group (9.5%, p 201 Tl perfusion defect decreased from 68 (23.1%) to 49 regions (16.7%) of 294 total myocardial regions in the Rh group on exercise. However. it increased from 39 (26.5%) to 44 (29.9%) regions of 147 regions in the Ct group (p<0.01). Thus, cardiac rehabilitation increases exercise tolerance with improvement of myocardial perfusion. suggesting that cardiac rehabilitation is an advisable and effective treatment for patients with ischemic heart disease. (author)

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a worldwide leading cause of death. The standard method for evaluating critical partial occlusions is coronary arteriography, a catheterization technique which is invasive, time consuming, and costly. There are noninvasive approaches for the early detection of CAD. The basis for the noninvasive diagnosis of CAD has been laid in a sequential analysis of the risk factors, and the results of the treadmill test and myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS). Many investigators have demonstrated that the diagnostic applications of MPS are appropriate for patients who have an intermediate likelihood of disease. Although this information is useful, it is only partially utilized in clinical practice due to the difficulty to properly classify the patients. Since the seminal work of Lotfi Zadeh, fuzzy logic has been applied in numerous areas. In the present study, we proposed and tested a model to select patients for MPS based on fuzzy sets theory. A group of 1053 patients was used to develop the model and another group of 1045 patients was used to test it. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare the performance of the fuzzy model against expert physician opinions, and showed that the performance of the fuzzy model was equal or superior to that of the physicians. Therefore, we conclude that the fuzzy model could be a useful tool to assist the general practitioner in the selection of patients for MPS. (author)

As intra-arterial chemotherapy for liver metastases of colorectal origin becomes accepted, methods of further improving drug delivery to the tumour have been devised. Degradable microspheres have been shown to reduce regional blood flow by transient arteriolar capillary block, thereby improving uptake of a co-administered drug, when injected into the hepatic artery. In our study of five patients, we combined hepatic arterial perfusionscintigraphy (HAPS) and SPECT to assess the localization of approximately 1 X 10(5) labelled microspheres of human serum albumin (99Tcm MSA) in tumour. In addition, in three patients, we assessed the effect of an intra-arterial infusion of the vasoactive agent angiotension II during HAPS. Results were interpreted by comparing transaxial slices with corresponding slices of a tin colloid liver-spleen scan. Two of five patients showed good localization of 99Tcm MSA in tumour without an angiotensin II infusion. Of the three patients receiving angiotensin II, all showed good tumour targetting with the vasoconstrictor compared with only one of these three before its use. Thus, hepatic arterial infusion of angiotensin II greatly improves microsphere localization in tumour in some patients with colorectal liver metastases. This technique may be useful in the assessment of tumour targetting before and during locoregional therapy.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a worldwide leading cause of death. The standard method for evaluating critical partial occlusions is coronary arteriography, a catheterization technique which is invasive, time consuming, and costly. There are noninvasive approaches for the early detection of CAD. The basis for the noninvasive diagnosis of CAD has been laid in a sequential analysis of the risk factors, and the results of the treadmill test and myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS). Many investigators have demonstrated that the diagnostic applications of MPS are appropriate for patients who have an intermediate likelihood of disease. Although this information is useful, it is only partially utilized in clinical practice due to the difficulty to properly classify the patients. Since the seminal work of Lotfi Zadeh, fuzzy logic has been applied in numerous areas. In the present study, we proposed and tested a model to select patients for MPS based on fuzzy sets theory. A group of 1053 patients was used to develop the model and another group of 1045 patients was used to test it. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare the performance of the fuzzy model against expert physician opinions, and showed that the performance of the fuzzy model was equal or superior to that of the physicians. Therefore, we conclude that the fuzzy model could be a useful tool to assist the general practitioner in the selection of patients for MPS. (author)

Myocardial perfusion imaging has lower sensitivity for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients with three-vessel disease. The presence of post-stress dysfunction of the left ventricle, evaluated by electrocardiography (ECG) gated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with a quantitative gated SPECT program, was investigated in patients with coronary artery disease, and also whether combining post-stress dysfunction and myocardial perfusion imaging improved the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. ECG gated technetium-99m-tetrofosmin SPECT was performed using a one day, stress and rest, protocol in 139 patients. SPECT and coronary angiography were performed within 1 month. The coronary artery disease group consisted of 89 patients: 43 with one-vessel disease (1VD), 28 with two-vessel disease (2VD), and 18 with three-vessel disease (3VD). The group with zero-vessel disease (0VD) consisted of 50 patients. According to post-stress and rest ejection fraction (EF) and end-systolic volume (ESV), post-stress dysfunction is defined as follows: rest EF - post-stress EF≥5% and post-stress ESV - rest ESV≥5ml. In the coronary artery disease group, post-stress ESV was larger than rest ESV (37.8±26.4, 34.0±24.2 ml, p<0.001), and post-stress EF was lower than rest EF (61.5±11.1%, 64.2±10.8%, p<0.001). In the 0VD group, ESV and EF were the same for post-stress and rest (25.7±20.8, 26.2±21.6 ml, NS; 70.4±9.5%, 70.0±9.6%, NS). Post-stress dysfunction was 6.0% in the 0VD group and 30.3% in the coronary artery disease group (p<0.001). Furthermore, post-stress dysfunction in the 2VD (35.7%) and 3VD (38.9%) groups was higher than that in the 0VD group (p<0.01, p<0.01). Sensitivity of coronary artery disease diagnosis by myocardial perfusion imaging was 75%. The combination of post-stress dysfunction and myocardial perfusion imaging improved sensitivity from 75% to 82% (p<0.05), but reduced the specificity from 92% to 86% (p=0.08). Post

The aim was to describe lung perfusion SPECT (LPS) findings in children with chronic pulmonary damage. Material and Method: We revised 106 LPS of children (age:3.9 ± 3.3 yr) with chronic pulmonary damage, performed with a two headed gamma camera. The most common clinical diagnosis were adenovirus bronchopneumonia sequelae (ADV)(29%), unknown origin chronic pulmonary damage (UOPD) (21%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)(15%), and chronic obstructed bronchitis (COB)(14%). Severity of pulmonary alterations were evaluated using a Score, which considered extent and type of lung involvement and differential pulmonary perfusion. Pattern of involvement and Score were correlated with diagnosis and gender. Results: Ninety one percent (96/106) of LPS were abnormal (62% boys). Fifty two (54%) showed bilateral alterations, being this finding (p:0.019) more frequent in boys. ADV group showed mainly a mixed bilateral pattern (35%), UOPD a focal unilateral pattern (32%), COB a diffuse unilateral pattern (33%), and BPD a normal pattern (25%). Miscellaneous and UOPD showed the highest score values, and BPD and COB the lowest ones. Conclusion: In this population, LPS is abnormal in high proportion, with some differential characteristics according gender and original diagnosis (au)

The goal of this investigation was to establish which anatomical parameters of stenotic lesions correlate best with its functional severity. Therefore, thirty-eight patients with single vessel disease underwent coronary cineangiography and exercise/redistribution thallium-201 scintigraphy. Cross-sectional area at the site of obstruction (OA), percentage diameter stenosis (DS), the calculated pressuredrop over the stenosis (PD), as well as coronary flow reserve (CFR) derived from myocardial contrast appearance time and density were determined. The relations between CFR and the 3 anatomical parameters were described by the following equations: CFR = 4.6 - 0.053 DS, r = 0.82, SEE: 0.79, p less than 0.001 CFR = 0.5 + 0.75 OA, r = 0.87, SEE: 0.68, p less than 0.001 CFR = 3.6 - 1.5 log PD, r = 0.90, SEE: 0.62, p less than 0.001 The calculated pressuredrop was highly predictive of the thallium scintigraphic results with a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 90%. Therefore, the calculated pressuredrop is a better anatomical parameter for assessing the functional importance of a stenosis than percentage diameter stenosis or obstruction area. However, the 95% confidence limits of the relation between pressuredrop and coronary flow reserve are wide, making measurement of CFR a valuable addition to quantitative angiography, especially when determining the functional importance of moderately severe coronary artery lesions

Although thallium-201 SPECT myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) has shown considerable accuracy for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD), dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE), a relatively new method for the detection of CAD had been recently utilized at the Philippine Heart Center. To assess its diagnostic worth versus that of thallium-201 spect myocardial scintigraphy (MPS), we studied 18 patients who underwent both procedures. Coronary angiography (CA) was used as the gold standard. MPS was performed with maximal treadmill exercise or with dipyridamole (0.568 mg/kg over 4 minutes) and Tl-201 was injected at peak stress. DSE was performed by infusing dobutamine at an increment of 5 μg/kg/min up to a maximum of 40. Atropine (0.01%) was added when 85% of maximum predicted heart rate is not achieved. Significant stenosis (>70%) was found in 16 out of 18 patients by CA. The sensitivity for the presence of CAD was 88% (14/16) and 69% (11/16) for MPS and DSE respectively. Specificity was 100% (2/2) for both. PPV was 100% for both while NPV was 50% and 29% for MPS and DSE respectively. Diagnostic accuracies were 89% and 72% for MPS and DSE respectively (P>0.05). Sensitivity for detecting left anterior descending artery (LAD) lesion was 71% 64% for MPS and DSE respectively; specificity was 75% and 100% respectively. For the left circumplex artery (LCX) lesion, both MPS and DSE had a sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 60%. Likewise for the right coronary artery (RCA) lesion, both had a sensitivity of 66% and specificity of 50%. Diagnostic accuracies were equal for both tests at 72% for LAD; 61% for LCX; and 61% for RCA. Kappa tests for association shows ρ values of >0.05 for overall and individual CAD detection suggesting no significant difference between MPS and DSE. Although there is a trend showing better detection of CAD with MPS, this particular study shows that both tests are comparable with regards to detection of the presence of CAD and of

The significance of a single area of ventilation/perfusion (V/P) mismatch in lung scans performed on patients suspected of pulmonary embolism (PE) was evaluated. Ten of 20 patients with this scan finding were found to have PE. An intermediate probability of PE was found with segmental (71%) or subsegmental (45%) single V/P mismatches. Seven of 16 patients with a single V/P mismatch and without a matching radiographic opacity had PE. Three of the four patients who had a V/P mismatch and a matching radiographic opacity were found to have PE. Multiview ventilation imaging with 81mKr was found to have advantages for the evaluation of single V/P mismatches. Based on the data available at this time, a single V/P mismatch suggests an intermediate probability of PE

To evaluate the effects of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), we investigated myocardial ischemia and left ventricular function during exercise before and after successful PTCA in 30 patients. We used extent and severity scores of 201 thallium ( 201 Tl) exercise myocardial scintigraphy to assess myocardial ischemia and determined global and regional left ventricular ejection fraction (EF and REF) of 99m Tc-RBC exercise radionuclide ventriculography to assess left ventricular function. The extent and severity scores of stress images were significantly less after PTCA than before PTCA. The scores of the redistribution images were unchanged before and after PTCA. Global EF during exercise was significantly higher after PTCA than before PTCA. There was no difference in resting global EF between before and after PTCA. Myocardial ischemia induced by exercise was semi-quantitatively analyzed as transient perfusion defect with severity score. Severity score was significantly less after PTCA than before PTCA. ΔEF, which was obtained by subtraction of resting global EF from exercise one, was significantly higher after PTCA than before PTCA. However, the degree of improvement in myocardial ischemia and left ventricular function varied from patient to patient. In 17 patients with one-vessel left anterior descending artery disease, ΔREF, which was determined by subtracting resting regional EF from exercise one, was significantly higher in septal and apical segments after PTCA than before PTCA. Myocardial ischemia and left ventricular function under exercise were alleviated by PTCA. However, the degree of improvement varied from patient to patient and it might have been affected by various factors including coronary dissection, edema, thrombus, restenosis, spasm, side branch stenosis or occlusion, distal thrombus, and myocardial hibernation. (author)

Computerized sequential radionuclide angiography was used to analyze the first pass kinetics of peripherally injected bolus of Tc-99m-pertechnetate. The relative arterial/total hepatic blood flow, the Hepatic Perfusion Index (HPI%), was determined in normal subjects while 20 cases of Acute Viral Hepatitis (AVH) were studied serially. In addition, biochemical blood analysis as also carried out. The mean value of HPI in first study of all patients was 61.23% in comparison to 31.12% of control group. The patients were divided into three groups, based upon the duration elapsed between the onset of symptoms and the first study. HPI was found significantly high in first study of each group as compared to controls. In first group there was no significant correlation of mean HPI with other biochemical parameters. In second and third groups, significant correlation were observed between the mean HPI and serum bilirubin, serum alanine trans-aminase with mean HPI in the third group. The serum proteins correlated negatively with HPI in second group. This technique offers a simple, rapid, non-invasive and quantitative method to determine a new index which mostly behaves like other biochemical parameter and can be used to follow the course of acute viral hepatitis. (author)

Full text: Dipyridamole MPS is a well-established investigative technique in the diagnosis and pre-operative risk stratification of patients with possible coronary artery disease. However, there remains a concern of its use in patients with end-stage chronic airways limitations (CAL). Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is a recent therapeutic option for such patients. The options for non-invasive pre-operative cardiac assessment in such patients are limited. This study reviewed the safety of dipyridamole use in such a clinical setting. 20 patients (10M, 10F, mean age 64.8 yrs) were evaluated. None had any history of ischaemic heart disease. Dipyridamole was administered intravenously at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg. Six patients remained asymptomatic throughout the procedure, while none experienced any chest pain. Two patients experienced moderate dyspnoea, which was rapidly relieved with aminophylline (100mg IV) during the recovery phase of the study. Two others developed mild dyspnoea; one settled spontaneously, while the other responded promptly to aminophylline. Aminophylline was administered to nine other patients to reverse minor symptoms (headache, flushing sensation). One other patient developed marked hypotension (SBP fell >20mmHg) and bradycardia, but no ECG changes for myocardial ischaemia. He responded well to aminophylline. His myocardial perfusion scan demonstrated extensive reversible myocardial ischaemia. Although the population size was small, dipyridamole appears safe to use in patients with end-stage CAL. Copyright (2000) The Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine Inc

Elderly patients referred for evaluation of chest pain are often unable to undertake adequate exercise for exercise stress testing. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze haemodynamic effects and assess the safety of adenosine stress myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) in the elderly. Records of 380 Patients (Age range=30-93 years) were reviewed. These were divided into two groups, Group-A with 190 patients who were above 65 years of age and Group-B with 190 patients who were equal or below the age of 65 years, and who had undergone adenosine stress MPS. The two groups were matched for major risk factors and clinical presentations. Symptoms (flushing, headache, chest pain, dyspnoea, neck pain) were recorded throughout the adenosine infusion. Baseline blood pressure, heart rate and ECG were recorded and monitored throughout the study. A total of 167 out of 380 patients (44%) had side effects, 86 of them belonged to Group-A and 81 of them belonged to Group-B. Flushing occurred in 33% of patients in Group-A and 43% of patients in Group-B. Seventeen percent of patients in Group-A had chest pain, while this was encountered in 27% of patients in Group-B. Dyspnoea was recorded in 32% of patients from Group-A, while it was encountered in 21% of patients belonging to Group-B. Neck pain was experienced by 8.4% in Group-A and 15% in Group-B. All of these findings were statistically significant (p<0.05). Several other side effects were also encountered which included headache (Group-A: 14% and Group-B: 21%), abdominal discomfort (Group-A: 19% and Group-B: 23%), Nausea and/or vomiting (Group-A: 4.7% and Group-B: 7.3%). ECG changes were noted in both groups (Group-A: 14% and Group-B: 12%). None of these were found to be statistically significant. Based on this retrospective study, the authors concluded that Adenosine stress MPS is a safe method for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD) in elderly patients and is well tolerated. Most side effects were

Scintigraphy is useful for monitoring perfusion and function of renal transplant, as well as for diagnosing miscellaneous surgical. This non-invasive imaging technique, which uses no deleterious products, is an attractive alternative for patients. This is especially true for those patients in early post-transplant course, with immunity depression and often impairment of renal function. Otherwise, multiple indices with a large range of inter-patient values has not favoured a methodological and interpretative consensus. Furthermore, the poor specificity of renogram patterns does not allow for discrimination of all etiologies with only one scintigraphy. Nevertheless, follow-up with iterative scintigraphy may be helpful due to the high intra-patient reproducibility and to the early appreciate change of parameters, according to clinical and histological renal post-transplant outcome. (authors). 43 refs., 8 figs

This thesis deals with the clinical applications of gated equilibrium bloodpool scintigraphy, performed with either a gamma camera or a portable detector system, the nuclear stethoscope. The main goal has been to define the value and limitations of noninvasive measurements of left ventricular ejection fraction as a parameter of cardiac performance in various disease states, both for diagnostic purposes as well as during follow-up after medical or surgical intervention. Secondly, it was attempted to extend the use of the equilibrium bloodpool techniques beyond the calculation of ejection fraction alone by considering the feasibility to determine ventricular volumes and by including the possibility of quantifying valvular regurgitation. In both cases, it has been tried to broaden the perspective of the observations by comparing them with results of other, invasive and non-invasive, procedures, in particular cardiac catheterization, M-mode echocardiography and myocardial perfusionscintigraphy. (Auth.)

Several diagnostic noninvasive tests to detect coronary and multivessel coronary disease are available for women. However, all are imperfect and it is not yet clear whether one particular test provides substantially more information than others. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical findings, exercise electrocardiography, exercise thallium myocardial scintigraphy and cardiac fluoroscopy in 92 symptomatic women without previous infarction and determine which tests were most useful in determining the presence of coronary disease and its severity. Univariate analysis revealed two clinical, eight exercise electrocardiographic, seven myocardial scintigraphic and seven fluoroscopic variables predictive of coronary or multivessel disease with 70% or greater stenosis. The multivariate discriminant function analysis selected a reversible thallium defect, coronary calcification and character of chest pain syndrome as the variables most predictive of presence or absence of coronary disease. The ranked order of variables most predictive of multivessel disease were cardiac fluoroscopy score, thallium score and extent of ST segment depression in 14 electrocardiographic leads. Each provided statistically significant information to the model. The estimate of predictive accuracy was 89% for coronary disease and 97% for multivessel coronary disease. The results suggest that cardiac fluoroscopy or thallium scintigraphy provide significantly more diagnostic information than exercise electrocardiography in women over a wide range of clinical patient subsets

The visualization of functioning adrenocortical tissue by scintigraphy became possible with the introduction of radioiodinated cholesterol derivatives. According to the literature, there is evidence that one of these iodinated cholesterols, 6-β-iodomethyl-nor-cholesterol, concentrates in the adrenal cortex to a much greater extent than 131 I-19-odocholesterol. Results comparing both radiopharmaceuticals are described. The authors investigated the possibility of increasing the uptake of iodinated cholesterol using simultaneous ACTH and the 'cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzymeblocker': aminoglutethimide. The results of adrenal scintigraphy performed in 37 patients are described. Finally, the literature on adrenal scintigraphy is reviewed, and results reported in various studies are compared. (Auth.)

The technique of gastroesophageal scintigraphy was developed in order to quantitatively detect reflux from the stomach into the esophagus. The scintigraphic technique was compared to previous diagnostic tests. None of the other techniques is as sensitive as gastroesophageal scintigraphy for the detection of reflux, in comparison to the acid reflux test. Gastroesophageal scintigraphy is able to detect gastroesophageal reflux acurately, rapidly, noninvasively, and more sensitively than other diagnostic techniques. In addition, it is able to be employed to quantitate reflux and is suitable for studying the effects of various therapeutic modalities.

Isotopic techniques occupy a leading place amongst examinations practicable on coronary patients because of their reliability and the safety and simplicity of their use. The present work reviews the possible applications of selective coronary scintigraphy in pathology. After a brief discussion on scintigraphy, isotopic techniques for myocardium research, coronarography and other methods to study local myocardium perfusion the theoretical bases for the use of the exploration are studied, the techniques and methods employed are reported and the results discussed. Coronary scintigraphy consists of selective injection in the two coronary arteries previously catheterized during a coronarography, of two different populations of microspheres labelled with two physically short-lived indicators: 15μ 99m Tc-labelled serumalbumin microspheres, 10 to 15μ In-labelled siderophiline microspheres. Various studies have shown the complete harmlessness of the exploration when certain precautions are taken regarding the size and number of the spheres. The microspheres disperse into the downstream arterial territory proportionally to the number of capillaries present in the different parts of the irrigated region, and are temporarily stopped in the precapillaries. The preparation of the different images needed to interpret the Face and OAG examination for the left coronary, then for the right coronary, is carried out at the end of the coronarography and lasts about 45 minutes. It is also possible by selective injection in the aorta-coronary bridges to judge their functional condition by observation of the regions they irrigate. 56 patients of the Necker hospital cardiological clinic have been examined [fr

To compare MR perfusion imaging with perfusionscintigraphy in the evaluation of patients with pulmonary emphysema being considered for lung volume reduction surgery. Six patients with pulmonary emphysema and two normal individuals were evaluated by MR perfusion imaging, perfusionscintigraphy, and selective bilateral pulmonary angiography. MR images were obtained with an enhanced fast gradient recalled echo with three-dimensional Fourier transformation technique (efgre 3D) (6.3/1.3; flip angle, 30 deg C; field of view, 45-48 cm; matrix, 256 x 160). The presence or absence of perfusion defects in each segment was evaluated by two independent observers. Using angiography as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MR perfusion imaging in detecting focal perfusion abnormalities were 90%, 87%, and 89%, respectively, while those of perfusionscintigraphy were 71%, 76%, and 71%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of MR perfusion imaging was significantly higher than that of scintigraphy (p<0.001, McNemar test). There was good agreement between two observers for MR perfusion imaging (kappa statistic, 0.66) and only moderate agreement for perfusionscintigraphy (kappa statistic, 0.51). MR perfusion imaging is superior to perfusionscintigraphy in the evaluation of pulmonary parenchymal perfusion in patients with pulmonary emphysema. (author)

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The goal of this study is to determine the prognostic value of semiquantitative parameters of electrocardiogram-gated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in a large Middle Eastern (Iranian) population. This study was a prospective study including all patients referred to our center for myocardial perfusion scan. The patients were followed annually up to 24 months and their survival information was collected. From 1148 patients, 473 (41.2%) men and 675 (58.8%) women, 40.6% had normal MPI, 13.3% near normal and 46.1% abnormal MPI. After follow-up of 929 patients, 97.4% of patients were alive, and 2.6% succumbed to cardiac deaths. Abnormal ejection fraction was related with cardiac events (P = 0.001), but neither transient ischemic dilation (TID) (P = 0.09) nor lung/heart ratio (P = 0.92) showed such relationship. Association between summed difference score (SDS) and soft cardiac events (P < 0.001) was significant. Summed motion score (SMS) and summed thickening score (STS) showed a significant relation with hard cardiac events, including myocardial infarction and cardiac death (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Totally, risk of all cardiac events was significantly higher in abnormal MPI group than normal group (P < 0.001, 0.02, and 0.025, respectively). No significant relationship was found between TID and total cardiac events (P = 0.478). Semiquantitative variables derived from gated SPECT MPI have independent prognostic value. Rate of total cardiac events is higher in patients with higher summed stress score and SDS. Total and hard cardiac events are higher in upper scores of functional parameters (SMS and STS). Total cardiac events are higher in patients with lower left ventricular ejection fraction

Patients with normal stress perfusion have an excellent prognosis. Prospective studies on the diagnostic accuracy of stress-only scans with contemporary, independent examinations as gold standards are lacking. A total of 109 patients with typical angina and no previous coronary artery disease underwent a 2-day stress (exercise)/rest, gated, and attenuation-corrected (AC), 99m-technetium-sestamibi perfusion study, followed by invasive coronary angiography. The stress datasets were evaluated twice by four physicians with two different training levels (expert and novice): familiar and unfamiliar with AC. The two experts also made a consensus reading of the integrated stress-rest datasets. The consensus reading and quantitative data from the invasive coronary angiography were applied as reference methods. The sensitivity/specificity were 0.92-1.00/0.73-0.90 (reference: expert consensus reading), 0.93-0.96/0.63-0.82 (reference: ≥1 stenosis>70%), and 0.75-0.88/0.70-0.88 (reference: ≥1 stenosis>50%). The four readers showed a high and fairly equal sensitivity independent of their familiarity with AC. The expert familiar with AC had the highest specificity independent of the reference method. The intraobserver and interobserver agreements on the stress-only readings were good (readers without AC experience) to excellent (readers with AC experience). AC stress-only images yielded a high sensitivity independent of the training level and experience with AC of the nuclear physician, whereas the specificity correlated positively with both. Interobserver and intraobserver agreements tended to be the best for physicians with AC experience.

Salivary gland scintigraphy with technetium 99m ( 99m Tc) in the form pertechnetate ion is a relatively simple procedure, which can provide a unique and sensitive means for investigating salivary gland physiologic function and its derangements. However, salivary scintigraphy is poorly suited for the detection and characterization of masses in and around the salivary glands. Computed tomography (CT) has, therefore, largely supplanted scintigraphy for the evaluation of masses and is the method of choice because it can provide exquisite anatomic detail. Consequently, CT is more sensitive for mass detection and can also provide useful information as to whether a mass has arisen from within or from outside of a salivary gland or whether a mass is circumscribed or invasive. It also can disclose the relationship of the mass to the facial nerve and occasionally can provide histologic characterization of such masses as cysts, lipomas, and masseter muscle hypertrophy

The pulmonary ventilation scintigraphy with 99m Tc diethylene-triamine-pentaacetate (99mTc-DTPA) delivered through a new nebulizer system when analyzed together with the classic lung perfusionscintigraphy with 99mTc-labeled albumin macroaggregates (99mTcMAA) is a very important diagnostic tool in several pulmonary diseases. Several aspects of the lung ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy are studied in 15 people with no lung disease, smokers and nonsmokers. The findings with the lung ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy are also discussed in 34 patients with several pulmonary diseases: lung cancer, chronic obstructive lung disease, policystic pulmonary disease, and pulmonary embolims. The authors concluded that the procedure is a valuable diagnostic tool in several pulmonary diseases, especially because good lung images are obtained, no side effects were detected, the technique is ease and low cost, and it brings new informations, not available with other diagnostic methods. (author)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of scatter and attenuation correction in region of interest (ROI) analysis of brain perfusion single-photon emission tomography (SPECT), and to assess the influence of selecting the reference area on the calculation of lesion-to-reference count ratios. Patients, methods: Data were collected from a brain phantom and ten patients with unilateral internal carotid artery stenosis. A simultaneous emission and transmission scan was performed after injecting {sup 123}I-iodoamphetamine. We reconstructed three SPECT images from common projection data: with scatter correction and nonuniform attenuation correction, with scatter correction and uniform attenuation correction, and with uniform attenuation correction applied to data without scatter correction. Regional count ratios were calculated by using four different reference areas (contralateral intact side, ipsilateral cerebellum, whole brain and hemisphere). Results: Scatter correction improved the accuracy of measuring the count ratios in the phantom experiment. It also yielded marked difference in the count ratio in the clinical study when using the cerebellum, whole brain or hemisphere as the reference. Difference between nonuniform and uniform attenuation correction was not significant in the phantom and clinical studies except when the cerebellar reference was used. Calculation of the lesion-to-normal count ratios referring the same site in the contralateral hemisphere was not dependent on the use of scatter correction or transmission scan-based attenuation correction. Conclusion: Scatter correction was indispensable for accurate measurement in most of the ROI analyses. Nonuniform attenuation correction is not necessary when using the reference area other than the cerebellum. (orig.)

This chapter describes the role of nuclear medicine in the evaluation of the hepatobiliary system. The technical aspects of hepatobiliary scintigraphy, or cholescintigraphy (radiopharmaceutical, radiation dosimetry, instrumentation, and method) are briefly presented, followed by a discussion of each of the indications for such examination. Its relative advantages and disadvantages with respect to alternative radiographic examinations are emphasized. Logical, efficient, cost-effective sequences of diagnostic studies are recommended whenever appropriate in order to derive the maximum information with the least time and expense. It is hoped that the reader will come away with an appreciation of the type of diagnostic information provided by hepatobiliary scintigraphy, its accuracy, its application in the workup of the patient with hepatobiliary disease, and its strengths and limitations compared with other radiologic studies

Liver scintigraphy can be classified into 3 major categories according to the properties of the radiopharmaceuticals used, i.e., methods using radiopharmaceuticals which are (1) incorporated by hepatocytes, (2) taken up by reticulo endothelial cells, and (3) distributed in the blood pool of the liver. Of these three categories, the liver scintigraphy of the present research falls into category 2. Radiopharmaceuticals which are taken up by endothelial cells include 198 Au colloids and 99m Tc-labelled colloids. Liver scintigraphy takes advantage of the property by which colloidal microparticles are phagocytosed by Kupffer cells, and reflect the distribution of endothelial cells and the intensity of their phagocytic capacity. This examination is indicated in the following situations: (i) when you suspect a localized intrahepatic lesion (tumour, abscess, cyst, etc.), (ii) when you want to follow the course of therapy of a localized lesion, (iii) when you suspect liver cirrhosis, (iv) when you want to know the severity of liver cirrhosis or hepatitis, (v) when there is hepatomegaly and you want to determine the morphology of the liver, (vi) differential diagnosis of upper abdominal masses, and (vii) when there are abnormalities of the right diaphragm and you want to know their relation to the liver

This review summarises the evidence for the role of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. It is the product of a consensus conference organised by the British Cardiac Society, the British Nuclear Cardiology Society and the British Nuclear Medicine Society and is endorsed by the Royal College of Physicians of London and the Royal College of Radiologists. It was used to inform the UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence in their appraisal of MPS in patients with chest pain and myocardial infarction. MPS is a well-established, non-invasive imaging technique with a large body of evidence to support its effectiveness in the diagnosis and management of angina and myocardial infarction. It is more accurate than the exercise ECG in detecting myocardial ischaemia and it is the single most powerful technique for predicting future coronary events. The high diagnostic accuracy of MPS allows reliable risk stratification and guides the selection of patients for further interventions, such as revascularisation. This in turn allows more appropriate utilisation of resources, with the potential for both improved clinical outcomes and greater cost-effectiveness. Evidence from modelling and observational studies supports the enhanced cost-effectiveness associated with MPS use. In patients presenting with stable or acute chest pain, strategies of investigation involving MPS are more cost-effective than those not using the technique. MPS also has particular advantages over alternative techniques in the management of a number of patient subgroups, including women, the elderly and those with diabetes, and its use will have a favourable impact on cost-effectiveness in these groups. MPS is already an integral part of many clinical guidelines for the investigation and management of angina and myocardial infarction. However, the technique is underutilised in the UK, as judged by the inappropriately long waiting times and by

Full Text Available Swyer James (McLeod′s syndrome (SJMS is an uncommon disease, which occurs as a result of childhood bronchiolitis obliterans. Patients may not be diagnosed until later in their life. A 46-year-old man underwent ventilation/perfusionscintigraphy for acute onset of dyspnea. The scan showed markedly diminished ventilation and perfusion unilaterally on the right middle and inferior lobes. However, mismatched ventilation-perfusion pattern was shown on the upper right lobe, which was consistent with pulmonary embolism. Unilaterally matched ventilation/perfusion defect can see in SJMS in lung scintigraphy; however, when pulmoner embolism may accompany, scintigraphy should be carefully examined.

The Thallium-201 Myocardial Scintigraphy, its Possibilities and limitations: The Thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy is a simple non-invasive procedure to detect hypo- and non-perfused myocardial regions. In the he last years it was demonstrated to be a helpful method in the diagnostic strategy for the cardiologist. It can not replace the coronary angiogram, but in many cases it appears to be useful in selecting patients for coronary angiography. (orig.) [de

and novice): familiar and unfamiliar with AC. The two experts also made a consensus reading of the integrated stress-rest datasets. The consensus reading and quantitative data from the invasive coronary angiography were applied as reference methods. RESULTS: The sensitivity/specificity were 0.......92-1.00/0.73-0.90 (reference: expert consensus reading), 0.93-0.96/0.63-0.82 (reference: ≥1 stenosis>70%), and 0.75-0.88/0.70-0.88 (reference: ≥1 stenosis>50%). The four readers showed a high and fairly equal sensitivity independent of their familiarity with AC. The expert familiar with AC had the highest specificity...

A scinticamera computer system was used to measure the distribution of blood flow in both upright and supine lungs sequentially with the same counting geometry. The counting ratio of the upper half to the lower half lung, and the difference of distribution indices between supine lung and upright lung which is the fraction of postural change from the supine upper half to upright lower half lung to total distribution of blood flow, were referred to as ''U/L ratio'' and postural ''Change of Distribution'' respectively. U/L ratio correlated well with left atrial mean pressure (r = 0.87, p < 0.001) with the regression equation and Change of Distribution correlated well with pulmonary artery mean pressure (PAm) (r = -0.88, p < 0.001) in cardiac diseases. The relationship between the Change of Distribution and PAm was investigated using various regression analyses and the best fit was obtained by logarithmic regression (r = -0.92) with the regression equation. This regression equation means that there is no change of distribution of pulmonary blood flow with pulmonary artery pressure over 58 mmHg and that entire pulmonary blood flow comes to the lower half lung when the pulmonary artery pressure decreases to zero level. Pulmonary parenchymal and vascular disorders including primary pulmonary hypertension also held the same relationship with PAm. The relationship between upright U/L ratio and postural Change of Distribution permitted differentiation between precapillary pulmonary hypertension and postcapillary pulmonary hypertension. (J.P.N.)

Myocardial scintigraphy comprises perfusion imaging using TI-201 or - more recently - Tc-99m-labeled compounds with high affinity to myocytes. Imaging with these agents has become an important procedure in the detection of coronary artery disease, particularly in patients with non-diagnostic stress-ECG, in the functional evaluation of coronary stenoses after angiographical documentation in order to meet the adequate therapy decision, in therapy monitoring and follow-up, in the post infarction assessment of myocardial viability and differentiation between severe ischemia and scar and, occasionally, in acute ischemia. The use of positron emitters does not offer significant advantages for mere perfusion imaging, but is indispensable for the scintigraphic investigation of certain aspects of myocardial metabolism, particularly for the differentiation of viable ischemic wall segments from irreversibly damaged tissue. Imaging of myocardial necrosis has been improved by the introduction of labeled antimyosin antibody fragments and offers a considerable clinical potential in the diagnosis of myocarditis and cardiac transplant rejection. Neurohumoral aspects are increasingly involved in our understanding of myocardial failure. Scintigraphy of innervation/neurotransmission contributes to the investigation of pathophysiological alterations in myocardial insufficiency and in heart transplants. (orig.) [de

Lidoflazine is a synthetic drug with calcium-channel blocking effects. In a study of 6 patients with severe classic angina pectoris, single-blind administration of lidoflazine was associated with improved myocardial perfusion during exercise as determined by thallium-201 stress scintigraphy. These studies demonstrate that lidoflazine therapy is associated with relief of angina, an increased physical work capacity, and improved regional myocardial perfusion during exercise

Until recently, PET was regarded as a luxurious way of performing myocardial perfusionscintigraphy, with excellent image quality and diagnostic capabilities that hardly justified the additional cost and procedural effort. Quantitative perfusion PET was considered a major improvement over standard

Until recently, PET was regarded as a luxurious way of performing myocardial perfusionscintigraphy, with excellent image quality and diagnostic capabilities that hardly justified the additional cost and procedural effort. Quantitative perfusion PET was considered a major improvement over standard

Objective: Based on coronary angiography, thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy was evaluated in hypertensive patients with and without left ventricular hypertrophy, and the causes of its perfusion abnormalities were discussed. Methods: Thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy was performed on 85 patients with clinically suspected coronary artery disease. Coronary angiography was performed on patients with perfusion abnormalities in one month after scintigraphy. Results: The rate of 201 Tl perfusion abnormalities in hypertensive patients with hypertrophy (85.7%) was higher than normal blood pressure (39.3%, P 201 Tl perfusion abnormalities occur in hypertensive patients with hypertrophy. The perfusion abnormalities may be caused not only by coronary large vessel disease, but also by coronary microvascular disease

The main purpose of ventilation scanning, as adjunct to perfusion lung scintigraphy, in acute pulmonary embolism is to allow for the classification of segmental perfusion defects as mismatched, which is generally accepted as proof for the presence of pulmonary embolism. We examined whether this

Ventilation/perfusion lung scintigraphy was performed in 39 patients with verified diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and in 14 patients with peripheral lung cancer. Ventilation/perfusion ratio, apical-basal gradients of ventilation (U/L(V)) and lung perfusion (U/L(P)), and alveolar capillary permeability of radionuclide aerosol were determined based on scintigraphy data. The study demonstrated that main signs of CAP were increases in ventilation/perfusion ratio, perfusion and ventilation gradient on a side of the diseased lung, and two-side increase in alveolar capillary permeability rate for radionuclide aerosol. Unlike this, scintigraphic signs of peripheral lung cancer comprise an increase in ventilation/perfusion ratio over 1.0 on a side of the diseased lung with its simultaneous decrease on a contralateral side, normal values of perfusion and ventilation gradients of both lungs, and delayed alveolar capillary clearance in the diseased lung compared with the intact lung.

Ventilation/perfusion lung scintigraphy was performed in 39 patients with verified diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and in 14 patients with peripheral lung cancer. Ventilation/perfusion ratio, apical-basal gradients of ventilation (U/L(V)) and lung perfusion (U/L(P)), and alveolar capillary permeability of radionuclide aerosol were determined based on scintigraphy data. The study demonstrated that main signs of CAP were increases in ventilation/perfusion ratio, perfusion and ventilation gradient on a side of the diseased lung, and two-side increase in alveolar capillary permeability rate for radionuclide aerosol. Unlike this, scintigraphic signs of peripheral lung cancer comprise an increase in ventilation/perfusion ratio over 1.0 on a side of the diseased lung with its simultaneous decrease on a contralateral side, normal values of perfusion and ventilation gradients of both lungs, and delayed alveolar capillary clearance in the diseased lung compared with the intact lung.

Myocardial perfusionscintigraphy is a very useful tool for the diagnosis and prognosis of coronary artery disease. The evaluation of left ventricular function during stress testing in also very useful to determine the prognosis of coronary artery disease. This chapter highlights three different imaging methods to assess left ventricular function and myocardial perfusion/ The first one consists of sequential dual isotope myocardial SPECT with ECG-gating. The second concerns magnetic resonance imaging and the third explores first pass exercise ventriculography and myocardial perfusionscintigraphy simultaneously evaluated by means of 99m Tc-sestamibi. (authors)

Xenon-133 lung ventilation and perfusion scans were done preoperatively after cardiac catheterization and cineangiocardiography in 19 children; 6 had pulmonary atresia with an intact ventricular septum and hypoplastic right ventricle, 4 pulmonary atresia with associated complex univentricular heart, and 9 extreme Tetralogy of Fallot. The four patients with discrepancies in the sizes of the left and right pulmonary arteries on angiography had marked asymmetry of pulmonary perfusion and ventilation-perfusion imbalance on scintigraphy. Similar degrees of asymmetry and imbalance were present in 6 of the 15 children with equal-size pulmonary vessels. Asymmetry of pulmonary perfusion and ventilation-perfusion imbalance were associated with a poor prognosis.

Xenon-133 lung ventilation and perfusion scans were done preoperatively after cardiac catheterization and cineangiocardiography in 19 children; 6 had pulmonary atresia with an intact ventricular septum and hypoplastic right ventricle, 4 pulmonary atresia with associated complex univentricular heart, and 9 extreme Tetralogy of Fallot. The four patients with discrepancies in the sizes of the left and right pulmonary arteries on angiography had marked asymmetry of pulmonary perfusion and ventilation-perfusion imbalance on scintigraphy. Similar degrees of asymmetry and imbalance were present in 6 of the 15 children with equal-size pulmonary vessels. Asymmetry of pulmonary perfusion and ventilation-perfusion imbalance were associated with a poor prognosis

The role of lung scintigraphy in the diagnostic management of patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism is reviewed. Evidence is provided that a normal perfusion scan excludes clinically relevant pulmonary embolism, and that a high probability lung scan, defined as a segmental perfusion

radiolabeled liquid aerosols are not restricted to the presence of obstructive lung disease. Radiolabeled macroaggregated human albumin is the imaging agent of choice for perfusionscintigraphy. An optimal combination of nuclide activities and acquisition times for ventilation and perfusion, collimators......Ventilation/perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (V/Q SPECT) is the scintigraphic technique of choice for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and many other disorders that affect lung function. Data from recent ventilation studies show that the theoretic advantages of Technegas over......, and imaging matrix yields an adequate V/Q SPECT study in approximately 20 minutes of imaging time. The recommended protocol based on the patient remaining in an unchanged position during the initial ventilation study and the perfusion study allows presentation of matching ventilation and perfusion slices...

This study evaluated the quality of the {sup 99m}Tc-MIBI radiopharmaceutical from different manufacturers, used in three nuclear medicine services (NMS) in Recife-PE, through labeling procedure of each service. It was observed their biodistribution by quantifying the activity present in the organs of interest (heart / liver), the influence and interference in image quality and in myocardial scintigraphy diagnosis exam. In these NMS (A, B and C) were done quality controls in the eluates of {sup 99}Mo/{sup 99m}Tc generators (radionuclidic, chemical and radiochemical purity and pH) and of the {sup 99m}Tc-MIBI radiopharmaceutical (radiochemical purity and pH) used in myocardial scintigraphy exam. In the case of radiochemical purity (RCP), was used the thin layer chromatography technique; after the chromatographic ran on, the plates were analyzed both in the dose calibrator, and in scintillation camera of each NMS. The radiopharmaceutical biodistribution was evaluated through the activities present in the heart and liver images in 60 patients, using the technique of combined images counting. Five nuclear physicians analyzed 24 images through myocardial perfusion visual interpretation during stress, it was verified the agreement degree among them. The results of the quality control showed that all eluate samples were in agreement with the manufacturers in relation to radionuclidic purity and pH. In relation to chemical purity, 10% of the services samples B and C showed Al{sup +3} values above 10 ppm. In the RCP, it was observed that using the scintillation camera, only 22% of the samples would be discarded, while with dose calibrator would be 78%, indicating that the scintillation camera is more sensitive in chromatographic pale analysis. For the labeled radiopharmaceutical, the services B and C presented respectively one and three samples with RCP percentage below 90%. However, C service presented the lowest medium to liver/heart proportions, showing that this factor

Full Text Available 58 year-old male patient with sternal pain was referred to our Nuclear Medicine Clinic for bone scintigraphy for 2.5 months. Markedly increased activity accumulation in the first bilateral sternocostal junction and increased activity accumulations in 3rd, 4th, 5th sternocostal junctions and lateral portion of inferior part of corpus sterni were seen in late static images without increased perfusion and hyperemia. Soft tissue density and lytic lesions were seen bilaterally in bilateral first costa, sternocostal joints and in right side of xiphoid in his 3D computed tomography (CT. Sternocostal lesions that were seen in bone scintigraphy and CT, was reported as normal in biopsy.

The most common use for nuclear medicine in equine practice is bone imaging using technetium 99m as the radionuclide. This article will describe establishment of a facility to perform equine scintigraphy, the peculiarities associated with nuclear medicine and horses and describe a variety of the pathology we identify using scintigraphy. Copyright (2002) The Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine Inc

A new ligand, an N-p-iodophenethyl diaminodithiol (DADT-IPE), an analog of N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (IMP), was synthesized and subsequently complexed with 99m Tc, using stannous chloride as a reducing agent. Two complexes (a and b) were separated from 99m Tc-DADT-IPE by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Competitive inhibition studies showed that the IC 50 value of DADT-IPE (70 μM) was similar to that of IMP (49 μM). Biodistribution studies of one of the complexes [ 99m Tc-DADT-IPE(a)] in rats showed that 0.65% of the injected dose of the tracer remained in the brain at 5 min after intravenous injection, with 0.53% of the dose remaining in the brain at 60 min post-injection, whereas the corresponding values for the other complex [ 99m Tc-DADT-IPE(b)] were 0.34% dose in the brain at 5 min and 0.28% dose in the brain at 60 min post-injection. The half-life for clearance of 99m Tc-DADT-IPE(a) from rat brain was found to be more than 5h. These results suggested that 99m Tc-DADT-IPE(a) has characteristics which are suitable for cerebral perfusion imaging. (author)

A series of 19 patients, suspected of developing avascular necrosis of bone following fracture, were entered into a pilot study comparing the use of bone marrow scintigraphy with conventional skeletal scintigraphy. Two-phase bone scintigraphy, using 600 MBq of 99 Tc m -HMDP, and perfusion and late-phase nanocolloid scintigraphy, using 370 MBq of 99 Tc m -nanocolloid, were performed on each patient. Photon deficiency at the site of interest was taken to indicate avascularity. The perfusion phase of both methods was found to be unhelpful. Agreement between methods was obtained in 18 patients (95%). Six patients had abnormal nanocolloid scans, one of which was normal on the conventional bone scintigram. The remaining 13 patients had no evidence to suggest avascularity in either method. Three patients with abnormal scans have had hip replacement survey following which avascularity of the femoral head was confirmed. (author)

A series of 19 patients, suspected of developing avascular necrosis of bone following fracture, were entered into a pilot study comparing the use of bone marrow scintigraphy with conventional skeletal scintigraphy. Two-phase bone scintigraphy, using 600 MBq of {sup 99}Tc{sup m}-HMDP, and perfusion and late-phase nanocolloid scintigraphy, using 370 MBq of {sup 99}Tc{sup m}-nanocolloid, were performed on each patient. Photon deficiency at the site of interest was taken to indicate avascularity. The perfusion phase of both methods was found to be unhelpful. Agreement between methods was obtained in 18 patients (95%). Six patients had abnormal nanocolloid scans, one of which was normal on the conventional bone scintigram. The remaining 13 patients had no evidence to suggest avascularity in either method. Three patients with abnormal scans have had hip replacement survey following which avascularity of the femoral head was confirmed. (author).

The pulmonary ventilation scintigraphy with 99m Tc diethylene-triamine-pentaacetate (99mTc-DTPA) delivered through a new nebulizer system when analyzed together with the classic lung perfusionscintigraphy with 99mTc-labeled albumin macroaggregates (99mTcMAA) is a very important diagnostic tool in several pulmonary diseases. Several aspects of the lung ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy are studied in 15 people with no lung disease, smokers and nonsmokers. The findings with the lung ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy are also discussed in 34 patients with several pulmonary diseases: lung cancer, chronic obstructive lung disease, policystic pulmonary disease, and pulmonary embolims. The authors concluded that the procedure is a valuable diagnostic tool in several pulmonary diseases, especially because good lung images are obtained, no side effects were detected, the technique is ease and low cost, and it brings new informations, not available with other diagnostic methods. (author).

The radioactive isotope thallium 201 behaves physiologically as a potassium analog, and when injected intravenously accumulates rapidly within the cells of many organs. Uptake of the isotope reflects both regional perfusion and sodium-potassium pump activity. The radionuclide emits 80 keV x-rays which are suitable for scintillation camera imaging. The main clinical application of 201TI scintigraphy has been in myocardial imaging. Abnormal uptake of the isotope results in a cold spot on the myocardial image. In patients with coronary artery disease, the differentiation of ischemic and infarcted myocardium is made by comparing images obtained after injecting the radionuclide at the peak of a maximal exercise test with those obtained after injection at rest. Abnormalities due to ischemia usually are seen only on the stress image whereas fixed defects in both rest and stress studies usually indicate areas of infarction or scarring. Some investigators believe that redistribution images obtained four to six hours after stress injection (without administering further 201TI) give the same information as a separate rest study. The sensitivity of stress imaging for detecting significant coronary disease is of the order of 80 percent to 95 percent, though computer processing of the images may be necessary to achieve the higher figure. The prediction of the extent of coronary disease from 201TI images is less reliable. An abnormal 201TI image is not entirely specific for coronary artery disease and the likelihood of an abnormal image being due to this diagnosis varies according to the clinical circumstances. The main clinical value of 201TI myocardial imaging is likely to be in the noninvasive screening of patients with atypical chest pain or with ambiguous findings on stress electrocardiographic tests. It has also proved useful in studying patients with variant angina or following a coronary bypass operation. It is doubtful whether the technique is clinically helpful in most

Since the introduction of liver and spleen scintigraphy in the early 1950s, it has undergone considerable changes, the most notable being technetium 99m sulfur colloid, the gamma camera, and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). What is the role f liver-spleen scintigraphy in this high-technology society? This chapter attempts to address this question by looking at the radiopharmaceuticals, the technique, and most importantly, the application of scintigraphy to the diagnosis of focal and diffuse hepatic and splenic disease

In order to evaluate the pathophysiology of pulmonary circulation in polycythemia, Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy and perfusion lung scintigraphy with 99m-Tc-MAA were performed in 19 cases of polycythemia including polycythemia rubra vera and in 11 cases of secondary polycythemia due to pulmonary diseases. Tl-201 lung uptake, right ventricular visualization and pulmonary perfusion impairment were studied. In the 19 cases, Tl-201 lung uptake was observed in all cases and 54.5% of them showed moderate lung uptake. The grade of right ventricular visualization was moderate in one case and slight in 16 cases; right ventricular hypertrophy was shown in 89.5% of all cases by Tl-201 scintigraphy, only one of which showed right ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiography. Abnormalities of lung perfusion consisted of scattered small areas of hypoperfusion in 36.8%, peripheral hypoperfusion in 78.9% and uneven distribution of pulmonary perfusion in 94.7%. The degree of hypoperfusion was slightly related to decrease in FEV 1.0%, V25 and PaO[sub 2] and increase in circulating blood volume and peripheral red blood cell counts. Abnormalities of pulmonary function consisted of increased RV/TLC in 50.0%, increased CV/VC in 35.7% and decreased V25 in 36.8%. Arterial blood gases showed hypoxemia in 57.1%, the degree of which was slightly related to increase in RV/TLC and CV/VC and decrease in V25. Cases of secondary polycythemia due to pulmonary diseases showed more marked right ventricular visualization, pulmonary perfusion impairment and abnormalities of various kinds of pulmonary function than polycythemia rubra vera cases. It seems to be important to evaluate the pathophysiology of pulmonary circulation in polycythemia rubra vera as well as secondary polycythemia due to cardio-pulmonary diseases, because pulmonary perfusion impairment and moderate right ventricular visualization are observed frequently in polycythemia rubra vera. (author).

In order to evaluate the pathophysiology of pulmonary circulation in polycythemia, Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy and perfusion lung scintigraphy with 99m-Tc-MAA were performed in 19 cases of polycythemia including polycythemia rubra vera and in 11 cases of secondary polycythemia due to pulmonary diseases. Tl-201 lung uptake, right ventricular visualization and pulmonary perfusion impairment were studied. In the 19 cases, Tl-201 lung uptake was observed in all cases and 54.5% of them showed moderate lung uptake. The grade of right ventricular visualization was moderate in one case and slight in 16 cases; right ventricular hypertrophy was shown in 89.5% of all cases by Tl-201 scintigraphy, only one of which showed right ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiography. Abnormalities of lung perfusion consisted of scattered small areas of hypoperfusion in 36.8%, peripheral hypoperfusion in 78.9% and uneven distribution of pulmonary perfusion in 94.7%. The degree of hypoperfusion was slightly related to decrease in FEV 1.0%, V25 and PaO 2 and increase in circulating blood volume and peripheral red blood cell counts. Abnormalities of pulmonary function consisted of increased RV/TLC in 50.0%, increased CV/VC in 35.7% and decreased V25 in 36.8%. Arterial blood gases showed hypoxemia in 57.1%, the degree of which was slightly related to increase in RV/TLC and CV/VC and decrease in V25. Cases of secondary polycythemia due to pulmonary diseases showed more marked right ventricular visualization, pulmonary perfusion impairment and abnormalities of various kinds of pulmonary function than polycythemia rubra vera cases. It seems to be important to evaluate the pathophysiology of pulmonary circulation in polycythemia rubra vera as well as secondary polycythemia due to cardio-pulmonary diseases, because pulmonary perfusion impairment and moderate right ventricular visualization are observed frequently in polycythemia rubra vera. (author)

Myocardial scintigraphy with thallium-201 is a new, non-invasive diagnostic method by means of which on special indications ischaemic heart diseases may be demonstrated. The case history is described of a man with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and angina pectoris. The electrocardiogram at rest was affected by the cardiomyopathy to such a degree that the interpretation of the ST-T segment during effort was not reliable. Scintigraphy revealed transient ischaemia. A bypass operation was carried out and post-operatively, the improved myocardial perfusion could be confirmed by myocardial scintigraphy. (Auth.)

The aim of this research was examination of myocardial perfusion in cardil therapy of twenty-two coronary patients and analysis of potentialities of load 199 Tl scintigraphy in assessment of the antianginal effect in the course of therapy of coronary patients. The findings evidence that due to short 199 Tl half life and low radiation load of the body because of this radionuclide load 199 Tl scintigraphy of the myocardium carried out in the course of therapy of coronary patients may be used as an objective test to assess myocardial perfusion under the effect of treatment. 8 refs

Skeletal trauma is common and presents both an opportunity and a problem in skeletal scintigraphy. The opportunity arises in the ability of skeletal scintigraphy to demonstrate abnormalities early after direct trauma. It is well recognized that the early detection of fractures in some sites cannot be reliably achieved by standard radiography, especially in the femoral neck and scaphoid bone. The problem comes in recognizing the effects of skeletal trauma when using skeletal scintigraphy for another purpose, such as the detection of metastatic disease. iatrogenic trauma to either the skeleton or soft tissues may be manifest scintigraphic ally. For example Craniotomy typically leaves a rim pattern at the surgical margin. Rib Retraction during thoracotomy can elicit periosteal reaction. Areas of the skeletal receiving curative levels of ionizing radiation (typically 4000 rads or greater) characteristically demonstrate decreased uptake within 6 months to 1 year after therapy. The generally high sensitivity of the skeletal scintigraphy seems to make it an ideal survey test in cases of suspected child abuse especially in which radiographs are unrevealing. Because of difficulties in obtaining a history of trauma from a preschool child or even eliciting a satisfactory description of the location and nature of the pain, skeletal scintigraphy provides a simple and reliable investigation in these children. Subtle trauma, such as that from stress fractures is often difficult to visualize on a plain radiograph. Skeletal scintigraphy is frequently positive at the time of clinical presentation. Skeletal scintigraphy is exquisitely sensitive to the remodeling process and typically shows abnormalities 1 to 2 weeks or more before the appearance of radiographic changes in stress fractures. The periosteal reaction can be visualized within hours of the injury. Insufficiency and fatigue fractures such as vertebral compression fracture, which is probably the most common consequence of

Thymic scintigraphy by 67 Ga-citrate and 75 Se-methionine was done on 6 cases of thymoma, and 5 cases of myasthenia gravis. Scan was positive on 5 of 6 cases of thymoma. All patients with malignant thymoma were positive. Among the 7 cases of myasthenia gravis, scintigrams revealed 2 thymomas and 1 hyperplasia on whom no thymic mass suspected. Thymic scintigraphy is useful examination when dealing with myasthenia gravis. (auth.)

Dynamic renal scintigraphy has been reviewed for evaluation of renal arterial involvement in aortic disorders such as arteriosclerosis obliterans, abdominal aortic aneurysm and dissecting aneurysm. As a diagnostic finding and parameters, we used blood perfusion images of both kidneys and relative split renal function index obtained with analysis of the time-activity curves which were generated using a renal region of interest. In the diagnosis of unilateral renal arterial involvement, sensitivity and specificity of blood perfusion images were 100 % (9/9) and 77 % (10/13) and those of relative split renal function index were 78 % (7/9) and 92 % (12/13), respectively. Dynamic renal scintigraphy was useful for evaluating unilateral renal arterial involvement in aortic diseases. However, scintigraphic diagnosis of bilateral renal arterial involvement were difficult. And in a severe case, we could not differentiate renal parenchymal damage due to renovascular involvement from senile renal dysfunction or hypertensive renal disease which is often a cause of aortic disorders. (author)

Introduction: One of the limitations of nuclear medicine studies are false-positive results that lead to unnecessary exams and procedures associated to morbidity and costs to the individual and society. One of the most frequent causes for reducing the specificity of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is photon attenuation, especially by breast in women. Objective: To develop a new technique to compensate the photon attenuation by women breasts in myocardial perfusion imaging with {sup 99m}Tc-sestamibi, using computational methods. Materials and methods: A procedure was proposed which integrates Monte Carlo simulation, computational methods and experimental techniques. Initially, were obtained the chest attenuation correction percentages using a phantom Jaszczak and breast attenuation percentages by Monte Carlo simulation method, using the EGS4 program. The percentages of attenuation correction were linked to individual patients' characteristics by an artificial neural network and a multivariate analysis. A preliminary technical validation was done by comparing the results of the MPI and catheterism (CAT), before and after applying the technique to 4 patients. The t test for parametric data, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney and X{sup 2} for the others were used. Probability values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Each increment of 1 cm in the thickness of breast was associated to an average increment of 6% on photon attenuation, while the maximum increase related to breast composition was about 2%. The average chest attenuation percentage per unit was 2.9%. Both, the artificial neural network and linear regression, showed an error less than 3% as predictive models for percentage of female attenuation. The anatomical-functional correlation between MPI and CAT was maintained after the use of the technique. Conclusion: Results suggest that the proposed technique is promising and could be a possible alternative to other conventional methods

To Appreciate the value of bone scintigraphy in determination of the bony infection, we performed three phase bone scintigraphy in 34 cases of osteomyelitis of extremities prospectively. They were clinically inactive in 11 and active in 23 cases. We confirmed the active osteomyelitis by operation or aspiration within one week after scintigraphy. Perfusion, blood pool and delayed images were analyzed respectively and compared with the plain roentgenograms. All 23 active lesions showed diffusely increased perfusion in affected limbs. The areas of the increased activities on blood pool images were larger than or similar to those on delayed images in 17 cases (73.9%) with active osteomyelitis and smaller in 6 cases (26.1%). 5 of the latter 6 cases showed definite soft tissue activities on blood pool images. In inactive cases bone scintigrams were completely normal in 4 cases. Two of those were normal on plain films and remaining two showed mild focal bony sclerosis. Among 7 inactive lesions, perfusion was normal in 2 cases, diffusely increased in 4 cases and diffusely decreased in 1 case. 6 of these 7 cases showed increased activities both on blood pool and delayed images and the areas of increased activities on blood pool images didn't exceed those on delayed images. Bony sclerosis was noted on plain films in those 7 inactive lesions and the extent of the sclerosis correlated well to delayed images. Large blood pool activity was characteristics of active osteomyelitis. Normal three phase bone scintigram may indicate the time to terminate the treatment, but increased activity on perfusion and blood pool scans is not absolute indication of active lesion if the extent of the lesion on the blood pool image is smaller than that on delayed image and if no definite soft tissue activity is noted on perfusion and blood pool images in clinically inactive patient.

Thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy is an important non-invasive method for assessment of coronary artery disease. Other applications of the method such as delineation of the right ventricular free wall in right ventricular overload, or the detection of hypertrophic cardiomyopathies or myocardial infiltrations are of subordinate importance. In heart disease such as congestive cardiomyopathy and mitral valve prolapse thallium-201 uptake defects have been described, the clinical implications of these findings, however, cannot be adequately interpreted at this time. Myocardial uptake of thallium-201 is an active process, dependent on and proportional to perfusion. Differentiation between myocardial ischemia and myocardial scar is based on the presence or absence of thallium-201 'redistribution'. That is, in the presence of acute reversible ischemia there is increased thallium-201 uptake in the post-ischemic phase in previously hypoperfused myocardium and, subsequently, equilibrium of the initially registered activity differences. 'Redistribution' has also been described in the resting scintigram of patients with severe coronary artery disease and chronic hypoperfusion. (orig.) [de

Purpose: The PIOPED criteria in their original and revised forms are today's standards in the interpretation of ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy. When the PIOPED criteria are used by experienced raters with training in consensus interpretation, the agreement rates have been demonstrated to be excellent. Our purpose was to investigate the rates of agreement between 2 experienced raters from different hospitals who had no training in consensus interpretation. Material and Methods: The 2 raters investigated a population of 195 patients. This group included 72 patients from a previous study who had an intermediate probability of pulmonary embolism and who had also been examined by pulmonary angiography. Results: The results demonstrated moderate agreement rates with a kappa value of 0.54 (0.45-0.63 in a 95% confidence interval), which is similar to the kappa value of the PIOPED study but significantly lower than the kappa values of agreement rates among consensus-trained raters. There was a low consistency in the intermediate probability category, with a proportional agreement rate of 0.39 between the experienced raters. Conclusion: The moderate agreement rates between raters from different hospitals make it difficult to compare study populations of a certain scintigraphic category in different hospitals. Further investigations are mandatory for accurate diagnosis when the scintigrams are in the category of intermediate probability of pulmonary embolism. (orig.)

Dynamic renal scintigraphy on 15 patients with dissecting aneurysm of abdominal aorta extending below the renal arteries were retrospectively studied. The results were reviewed and classified into 3 types according to perfusion images and parenchymal tissue uptake: Type A--symmetric perfusion and parenchymal tissue uptake; Type B--asymmetrical perfusion and parenchymal tissue uptake; Type C--delayed perfusion of one kidney and symmetric parenchymal tissue uptake. The number of patients who showed Type A, Type B, and Type C were 3 cases, 6 cases, and 6 cases, respectively. In all Type A and 3 of Type B, perfusion of bilateral renal arteries was mainly from true lumen. In the remaining 3 cases of Type B, 2 had one renal artery obstructed with thrombus; 1 had a deformity of one kidney (the blood supply was mainly from a false lumen), suggestive of renal infarction. On the other hand, in all 6 Type C cases, the renal artery where perfusion was delayed was apparently supplied from false lumen. It is suggested in this retrospective study that the findings in Type C, where delayed perfusion of one kidney and symmetric parenchymal tissue uptake were found, were due to the presence of delayed flow through the false lumen; and therefore, specific to cases where the main blood supply of one renal artery from false lumen. (author)

Scintigraphy (bone scan) is being used approximately since 1980 in the horse under general anaesthesia. With the construction of custom-made overhead gantries for gamma-cameras scintigraphy found widespread entry in big equine referral hospitals for bone-scanning of the standing horse. Indications for the use of a bone scan in the horse are inflammatory alterations in the locomotor apparatus. It is primarily used for diagnosis of lameness of unknown origin, suspect of stress fracture or hairline fracture and for horses with bad riding comfort with suspected painful lesions in the spine. (orig.)

This paper conducts a dosimetric investigation on the myocardial perfusion image protocol, together with a literature reviewing, motivated by the significant statistic increasing on mortality, morbidity and disability associated with cardiovascular disease, surpassing infectious diseases. Nuclear Cardiology plays a role n the diagnostic functional evaluation of the heart and in the prognostic of patients with suspected or known cardiac ischemia. In the context of unstable myocardial ischemic syndrome, myocardial perfusionscintigraphy is a non-invasive procedure performed by administering a radiopharmaceutical targeted to the heart. As tool for this study are that the images obtained by thoracic angiotomography and abdominal aorta as a anatomic and functional information for model reproduction in SISCODES - System of Codes for Absorbed Dose Calculations based on Stochastic Methods. Data were manipulated in order to create a voxel computational model of the heart to be running in MCNP - Monte Carlo Neutron Particle Code. . It was assumed a homogeneous distribution of Tl-201 in cardiac muscle. Simulations of the transport of particles through the voxel and the interaction with the heart tissue were performed. As a result, the isodose curves in the heart model are displayed as well as the dose versus volume histogram of the heart muscle. We conclude that the present computational tools can generate doses distributed in myocardial perfusion. (author)

This paper conducts a dosimetric investigation on the myocardial perfusion image protocol, together with a literature reviewing, motivated by the significant statistic increasing on mortality, morbidity and disability associated with cardiovascular disease, surpassing infectious diseases. Nuclear Cardiology plays a role n the diagnostic functional evaluation of the heart and in the prognostic of patients with suspected or known cardiac ischemia. In the context of unstable myocardial ischemic syndrome, myocardial perfusionscintigraphy is a non-invasive procedure performed by administering a radiopharmaceutical targeted to the heart. As tool for this study are that the images obtained by thoracic angiotomography and abdominal aorta as a anatomic and functional information for model reproduction in SISCODES - System of Codes for Absorbed Dose Calculations based on Stochastic Methods. Data were manipulated in order to create a voxel computational model of the heart to be running in MCNP - Monte Carlo Neutron Particle Code. . It was assumed a homogeneous distribution of Tl-201 in cardiac muscle. Simulations of the transport of particles through the voxel and the interaction with the heart tissue were performed. As a result, the isodose curves in the heart model are displayed as well as the dose versus volume histogram of the heart muscle. We conclude that the present computational tools can generate doses distributed in myocardial perfusion. (author)

Ten patients with tennis elbow were examined by three-phase scintigraphy, using sup(99m)Tc-MDP. In agreement with the histological findings of H. Schneider (14), there was no uptake during the perfusion and soft tissue phase. In the phase, there was focal bone uptake in one patient only.

Ten patients with tennis elbow were examined by three-phase scintigraphy, using sup(99m)Tc-MDP. In agreement with the histological findings of H. Schneider (14), there was no uptake during the perfusion and soft tissue phase. In the phase, there was focal bone uptake in one patient only. (orig.) [de

Planar ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy is currently the standard method for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) in most nuclear medicine centers. However, recent studies have shown a superior sensitivity and specificity when applying V/Q single photon emission computed tomography...... (SPECT) in diagnosing PE. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of three-dimensional V/Q SPECT in comparison with planar V/Q scintigraphy....

Full text: Bone scintigraphy is an integral part of the evaluation of bone disease in children. Common indications are suspected infection or inflammation, bone tumours and metastases, trauma and avascular necrosis. In all these disorders the sensitivity of scintigraphy is high. Gallium scintigraphy is often useful in children with clinical signs of infection not responding to treatment but the radiation dose is high. High quality images are essential. They depend on the full participation and co-operation of the child, parents and radiographers, the administration of appropriate analgesics, gentle but firm handling of the child, the injection of the appropriate amount of radiopharmaceutical, good positioning and immobilization, optimised equipment, and the acquisition of a suitable number of counts in an appropriate matrix size. Unless there are specific reasons for not doing so, we routinely perform two phase bone scintigraphy. This usually involves whole body blood pool and delayed images followed by static images of selected areas and, less often, pinhole images or SPECT. The interpretation of bone scan images in children requires knowledge of the age dependent differences in bone metabolism in the developing skeleton and the effect on the appearance of the maturing skeleton. (author)

Scintigraphy in 3 patients with chondroblastoma showed that the tumors were hyperemic and avidly accumulated the radionuclide. These changes were also present in adjacent normal bone, but to a lesser degree. This suggests that radionuclide uptake in chondroblastoma is a function of the blood supply to the tumor rather than primary matrix extraction.

Objective: To show the feasibility and value in the diagnosis of airway obstruction and pulmonary embolism with MR oxygen-enhanced ventilation combined with pulmonary perfusion imaging. Methods: Eight canines were implemented for peripheral pulmonary embolism by intravenous injection of gelfoam granules at pulmonary segmental arterial level, and five of them were formed airway obstruction models by inserting self-made balloon catheter at second-bronchia. The oxygen-enhanced MR ventilation imaging was introduced by subtracting the images of pre- and post- inhaled pure oxygen. The MR pulmonary perfusion imaging was achieved by the first-pass contrast agent method. Moreover, the manifestation of MR ventilation and perfusion imaging was observed and contradistinguished with that of general pathologic anatomy, ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy, and pulmonary angiography. Results: The manifestations of airway obstruction regions in MR ventilation and perfusion imaging were matched, but those of pulmonary embolism regions were dismatched. The defect range of airway obstruction in MR ventilation image was smaller than that in ventilation scintigraphy. The abnormal perfusion regions of pulmonary embolism were divided into defect regions and reduce regions based on the time courses of signal intensity changes. The sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis on pulmonary embolism by MR ventilation combined with perfusion technique were 75.0% and 98.1%. The diagnostic results were in good coherence with ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy and pulmonary angiography (K=0.743, 0.899). Conclusion: The MR oxygen-enhanced ventilation combined with pulmonary perfusion imaging can be used to diagnose the airway and vascular abnormity in lung. This technique resembles the ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy. It can provide quantitative functional information and better spatial and temporal resolution, and possesses the value of clinical application

Dynamic renal scintigraphy allows the diagnosis of complications in patients submitted to organ transplantation, such as perfusion abnormalities, acute tubular necrosis and rejection. In this study we employed 99m Tc-DTPA scintigraphy to study patients submitted to kidney transplantation. The results obtained and the clinical findings were conjunctively analyzed in order to detect graft rejection or other complications. The type of immunosuppressive scheme used was also correlated with the observed complications. Fifty-five patients submitted to kidney transplantation from 1989 to 1999 were evaluated. All patients with nephrotoxicity received a 3-drug immunosuppressive scheme. In this study, acute rejection was the most frequent complication (40.4%) observed following transplantation. Thirteen of 15 recipients of cadaveric kidney grafts presented acute tubular necrosis. Only one false-positive case was observed when scintigraphy and clinical findings were not concordant. We suggest carrying out renal scintigraphy to follow-up post-transplantation patients. (author)

To assess the usefulness of thallium-201 exercise scintigraphy in evaluating myocardial perfusion after coronary artery bypass surgery, imaging was performed after submaximal bicycle ergometry and at rest in 54 patients before and within 24 +- 10 (SD) weeks after operation. Scintigraphy identified 8 out of 20 patients who were symptom free after operation and showed normal exercise electrocardiograms as still having exercise-induced ischaemia and thus as having not truly benefited from the surgical intervention. In contrast, improvement in perfusion was documented in 17 out of 31 patients despite further complaints of chest pain and persistence of a pathological exercise electrocardiogram in 6 of them. Bypass graft patency rate paralleled the scintigraphic findings in the 35 patients who were restudied arteriographically. It was concluded that thallium-201 exercise scintigraphy is a useful technique to document changes in regional perfusion after surgery and is definitely superior to the clinical evaluation of patients including the exercise electrocardiogram. (author)

Aim: to determine the effectiveness of a new imaging algorithm in the investigation of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). Materials and methods: A new imaging algorithm for suspected PE was introduced following the installation of a multisection computed tomography (CT) machine at our institution. Before its installation, patients with suspected PE were evaluated with ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy. Subsequently, patients were triaged according to chest radiography (CR) and respiratory history to either lung scintigraphy or CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Patients with a normal CR and no history of lung disease were evaluated using perfusion (Q) scintigraphy [ventilation (V) scintigraphy was no longer performed]. Patients with an abnormal CR, asthma or chronic lung disease were evaluated using CTPA. All V/Q images in a continuous 3-year period before the introduction of the new imaging algorithm and all Q images performed in a 3-year period after its introduction were retrospectively reviewed. Imaging reports were categorized into normal, non-diagnostic (low or intermediate probability) or high probability for PE. Patients in the later group who subsequently underwent CTPA, were also reviewed. Results: After the policy change the percentage of normal scintigrams significantly increased (39 to 60%; p < 0.001). There was a non-significant increase in the percentage of high probability scintigrams (15 to 18%; p = 0.716). Overall the diagnostic yield of lung scintigraphy improved significantly (54 to 78%; p < 0.001). Conclusion: the diagnostic performance of lung scintigraphy can be improved by careful triage of patients to either Q scintigraphy or CTPA based on clinical history and CR findings. Q scintigraphy remains a valuable diagnostic test in the investigation of suspected PE in carefully selected patients

We carried out ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy and pulmonary function tests in 56 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 19 healthy volunteers. We used 99m Tc-macroaggregated albumin for the perfusionscintigraphy and 133 Xe gas for the ventilation scintigraphy. The lung volume image was created by computerized summation of the radioactivity in the rebreathing phase. Regions of interest (ROIs) were set automatically on lung volume image, which included each whole lung, and on perfusion image, including areas with relatively high radioactivity, with cut-off levels of 50%, 70%, and 90%. The number of pixels in each ROI was used as an index of lung volume (L) or perfusion (P). Perfusion per unit of lung volume (P/L) was also used as an index of perfusion. P70 and P70/L showed the better correlations than the other parameters, including significant correlations with vital capacity, FEV 1.0 , peak flow rate, RV/TLC, diffusing capacity and arterial oxygen partial pressure. The significant difference in P70 and P70/L between patients with hypoxemia and those without hypoxemia suggested that P70 and P70/L are useful indicators of the severity of COPD. We conclude that semiquantified values of pulmonary perfusionscintigraphy are significantly correlated with pulmonary function and the severity of COPD. (author)

The FAIR-HASTE method is a kind of noninvasive perfusion MR imaging obtained without the use of contrast media. By subtracting a flow-insensitive image from a flow-sensitive image, contrast enhancement of inflowing blood achieved. In the present study, we applied pulmonary perfusion FAIR-HASTE sequence for 23 patients with various pulmonary diseases, and compared the findings with those by pulmonary perfusionscintigraphy and Gadolinium perfusion MRI. Pulmonary perfusion imaging with the FAIR-HASTE method was possible in all clinical cases, and the findings corresponded well to those obtained by perfusion MRI using contrast media or pulmonary scintigraphy. The FAIR-HASTE method is a promising method for the evaluation of pulmonary perfusion. (author)

To develop an atlas of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy and evaluating its applicability in computer-aided detection of myocardial perfusion defects in patients with ischemic heart disease. The atlas was created with rest-stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphic images of 20 patients of both genders with low probability of coronary artery disease and considered as normal by two experienced observers. Techniques of image registration and mathematical operations on images were utilized for obtaining template images depicting mean myocardial uptake and standard deviation for each gender and physiological condition. Myocardial perfusionscintigraphy images of one male and one female patient were aligned with the corresponding atlas template image, and voxels with myocardial uptake rates two standard deviations below the mean voxel value of the respective region in the atlas template image were highlighted on the tomographic sections and confirmed as perfusion defects by both observe. The present study demonstrated the creation of an atlas of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy with promising results of this tool as an aid in the detection of myocardial perfusion defects. However, further prospective validation with a more representative sample is recommended. (author)

To develop an atlas of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy and evaluating its applicability in computer-aided detection of myocardial perfusion defects in patients with ischemic heart disease. The atlas was created with rest-stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphic images of 20 patients of both genders with low probability of coronary artery disease and considered as normal by two experienced observers. Techniques of image registration and mathematical operations on images were utilized for obtaining template images depicting mean myocardial uptake and standard deviation for each gender and physiological condition. Myocardial perfusionscintigraphy images of one male and one female patient were aligned with the corresponding atlas template image, and voxels with myocardial uptake rates two standard deviations below the mean voxel value of the respective region in the atlas template image were highlighted on the tomographic sections and confirmed as perfusion defects by both observe. The present study demonstrated the creation of an atlas of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy with promising results of this tool as an aid in the detection of myocardial perfusion defects. However, further prospective validation with a more representative sample is recommended. (author)

The scintigraphy of the skull has been studied in 49 children. This investigation is awkward to be performed and to be interpretated. The hyperactivity over a suture is far to be univocal. The hypoactivity over a suture can only be picked up under some circumstances. Abnormal parasagittal activities may be seen in craniostenosis. The interest of the scan in the establishment of the diagnosis or surgical indication seems to be limited above 5 years. Pronostic and physiopathologic interest needs more complete investigation [fr

Since 1973 bone scintigraphy using sup(99m)Tc-phosphate-complexes was carried out in 382 patients with psoriasis. For comparison with the results of nuclear medicine, roentgenologic and clinical findings a group af 121 patients with psoriasis aged between 11 and 74 years was compared to a group of 42 patients aged between 20 and 49 years without roentgenologic and clinical signs of psoriasis arthritis. We found by means of isotope investigation that an essentially greater part of the bones adjacent to the joints was involved than was expected according to X-ray and clinical findings. In addition, in 205 patients with psoriasis whole-body scintigraphy, using sup(99m)Tc-MDP, was carried out since 1977/78. In 17 patients we found an increased accumulation of activity in the region of extraarticular structures of the skull as well as of the skeletal thorax. According to these results we conclude that in addition to the clinically and roentgenologically defined psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis an osteopathy may exist, which can only be demonstrated by skeletal scintigraphy and which is localized in bones adjacent to the joints but can also be demonstrated in the region of extraarticular bones.

Since 1973 bone scintigraphy using sup(99m)Tc-phosphate-complexes was carried out in 382 patients with psoriasis. For comparison with the results of nuclear medicine, roentgenologic and clinical findings a group af 121 patients with psoriasis aged between 11 and 74 years was compared to a group of 42 patients aged between 20 and 49 years without roentgenologic and clinical signs of psoriasis arthritis. We found by means of isotope investigation that an essentially greater part of the bones adjacent to the joints was involved than was expected according to X-ray and clinical findings. In addition, in 205 patients with psoriasis whole-body scintigraphy, using sup(99m)Tc-MDP, was carried out since 1977/78. In 17 patients we found an increased accumulation of activity in the region of extraarticular structures of the skull as well as of the skeletal thorax. According to these results we conclude that in addition to the clinically and roentgenologically defined psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis an osteopathy may exist, which can only be demonstrated by skeletal scintigraphy and which is localized in bones adjacent to the joints but can also be demonstrated in the region of extraarticular bones. (orig.) [de

In 20 normal individuals and 60 patients with CAD, myocardial scintigraphy with thallium-201 was performed after maximum exercise and two hours later at rest. The evaluation of digitized scintigrams was performed quantitatively by means of a 14-halfsegment model. At a specificity of 90%, sensitivity of scintigraphy for CAD was 97% in 34 patients with previous myocardial infarction and 85% in 26 patients without infarction. Sensitivity for the extent of CAD was 93% for 44 vessels, perfusing infarcted myocardium and 67% for 96 vessels, perfusing non-infarcted myocardium. Sensitivity decreased with increasing extent of CAD and was higher for Cx than for LAD. The predictive value of a positive or negative scintigram was analyzed for different prevalences of CAD. At a low prevalence, e.g. 5%, the predictive of a pathological scintigram is only 32%, consequently thallium scintigraphy is not applicable as a general screening procedure. At a high prevalence, e.g. 90%, the predictive value of a normal scintigram is only 40%. Therefore thallium scintigraphy seems not to be able to differentiate whether a coronary artery stenosis is hemodynamically significant or not. This was in agreement with the data from exercise cineventriculography. A high-predictive value of thallium scintigraphy of about 85% is obtained only in the case of a medium prevalence of CAD, e.g. in asymptomatic patients with pathological Ecg or in patients with atypical angina pectoris. (orig.) [de

Background: non-invasive cardiological methods have been used for the identification of myocardial damage in Chagas disease. Objective: to verify whether the rest/stress myocardial perfusionscintigraphy is able to identify early myocardial damage in the indeterminate form of Chagas disease. Methods: eighteen patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas Disease and the same number of normal controls, paired by sex and age, underwent rest/stress myocardial scintigraphy using sestamibi-99mTc, aiming at detecting early cardiac damage. Results: the results did not show perfusion or ventricular function defects in patients at the indeterminate phase of Chagas disease and in the normal controls, except for a patient who presented signs of ventricular dysfunction in the myocardial perfusionscintigraphy with electrocardiographic gating. Conclusion: the results of this study, considering the small sample size, showed that the rest/stress myocardial scintigraphy using sestamibi-99mTc is not an effective method to detect early myocardial alterations in the indeterminate form of Chagas disease (author)

Background: non-invasive cardiological methods have been used for the identification of myocardial damage in Chagas disease. Objective: to verify whether the rest/stress myocardial perfusionscintigraphy is able to identify early myocardial damage in the indeterminate form of Chagas disease. Methods: eighteen patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas Disease and the same number of normal controls, paired by sex and age, underwent rest/stress myocardial scintigraphy using sestamibi-99mTc, aiming at detecting early cardiac damage. Results: the results did not show perfusion or ventricular function defects in patients at the indeterminate phase of Chagas disease and in the normal controls, except for a patient who presented signs of ventricular dysfunction in the myocardial perfusionscintigraphy with electrocardiographic gating. Conclusion: the results of this study, considering the small sample size, showed that the rest/stress myocardial scintigraphy using sestamibi-99mTc is not an effective method to detect early myocardial alterations in the indeterminate form of Chagas disease (author)

To evaluate the clinical significance of asymptomatic ischemic heart disease, exercise electrocardiography and stress myocardial scintigraphy were performed. These were correlated with symptoms during exercise tests and histories of myocardial infarction (MI). The study subjects consisted of 70 patients with coronary artery disease, including 34 with MI, and 36 without MI but with angina pectoris. Stress tests were performed using bicycle ergometer under electrocardiographic monitoring throughout the test. Transient myocardial ischemia was confirmed by perfusion defects on thallium myocardial imaging demonstrated immediately after exercise, but not 3 hours after the stress test. Asymptomatic ST depression was observed in 18 of 34 patients with MI (53%) and in 21 of the 36 patients with angina (58%); however, transient myocardial perfusion defects were confimred in 61% of the patients with MI (11 of 18 patients), but in only 33% of those with angina (7 of 21 patients). The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). It was suggested that there are some differences in the clinical significance of asymptomatic ST depression between the patients with MI and those without MI but with angina pectoris. (author)

Myocardial scintigraphy with /sup 201/thallium is a non-invasive method for detection of myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease. Redistribution-analysis as a sequential-scintigraphy of an exercise-scan permits to distinguish between myocardial scars and coronary vessel disease.

Despite the widespread use of the exercise stress test in diagnosing asymptomatic myocardial ischemia, exercise radionuclide imaging remains useful for detecting silent ischemia in numerous patient populations, including those who are totally asymptomatic, those who have chronic stable angina, those who have recovered from an episode of unstable angina or an uncomplicated myocardial infarction, and those who have undergone angioplasty or received thrombolytic therapy. Studies show that thallium scintigraphy is more sensitive than exercise electrocardiography in detecting ischemia, i.e., in part, because perfusion defects occur more frequently than ST depression and before angina in the ischemic cascade. Thallium-201 scintigraphy can be performed to differentiate a true- from a false-positive exercise electrocardiographic test in patients with exercise-induced ST depression and no angina. The development of technetium-labeled isonitriles may improve the accuracy of myocardial perfusion imaging. 11 references

Intravenous pyelography, ultrasonics, standard renography and renal scintigraphy are not always appropriate methods for assessment of pelviureteric junction following pyeloplasty. In an easy and non-invasive way renography can supply such information by administration of furosemide. 112 cases of pyeloplasty were investigated with this method and results compared to other present diagnostic procedures. In 7.4%, intravenous pyelography revealed severe signs of obstruction which were completely disproved by diuretic renal function scintigraphy. Furthermore because of the exact correlation of this method with retrograde pyelography or percutaneous intrapelvic perfusion pressure measurement, the significance of these invasive investigations has been rendered less important. (orig.) [de

In current clinical practice lung scintigraphy is mainly used to exclude pulmonary embolism (PE). Modified diagnostic criteria for planar lung scintigraphy are considered, as newer scitigraphic methods, especially single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are becoming more popular. Data of 98 outpatients who underwent planar ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy and 49 outpatients who underwent V/Q SPECT from the emergency department (ED) were retrospectively collected. Planar V/Q images were interpreted according to 0.5 segment mismatch criteria and revised PIOPED II criteria and perfusion scans according to PISA-PED criteria. V/Q SPECT images were interpreted according to the criteria suggested in EANM guidelines. Final diagnosis of PE was based on the clinical decision of an attending physician and evaluation of a 12 months follow-up period. Using 0.5 segment mismatch criteria and revised PIOPED II, planar V/Q scans were diagnostic in 93% and 84% of cases, respectively. Among the diagnostic planar scans readings specificity for 0.5 segment mismatch criteria was 98%, and 99% for revised PIOPED II criteria. V/Q SPECT showed a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 98%, without any non-diagnostic cases. In patients with low pretest probability for PE, planar V/Q scans assessed by 0.5 segment mismatch criteria were diagnostic in 92%, and in 85% using revised PIOPED II criteria, while perfusionscintigraphy without ventilation scans was diagnostic in 80%. Lung scintigraphy yielded diagnostically definitive results and is reliable in ruling out PE in patients from ED. V/Q SPECT has excellent specificity and sensitivity without any non-diagnostic results. Percentage of non-diagnostic results in planar lung scintigraphy is considerably smaller when 0.5 segment mismatch criteria instead of revised PIOPED II criteria are used. Diagnostic value of perfusionscintigraphy according to PISA-PED criteria is inferior to combined V/Q scintigraphy; the difference is

Aim: Careful clinical examination and conventional radiography, together with other standard methods for evaluation of bone fracture healing, are frequently inconclusive. Furthermore, it is difficult to predict the complications of healing on the basis of clinical and radiographic findings only. Bone scintigraphy plays an important role in detecting bone fractures. This method is very sensitive, but not enough specific. The aim of this work was to evaluate the role of three-phase bone scintigraphy in the healing prognosis of long bone fractures. Material and Methods: We evaluated the three elements (perfusion, blood pool and static image) of three-phase bone scintigraphy in early prognosis of the course of fracture healing in patients with fractures of femur or tibia. Three-phase bone scintigraphy was performed in 73 patients. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to X-ray and clinical examination: 1) Non operated patients with stable fracture, 2) Operated patients with unstable fracture (infection), 3) Fractures with delayed union, 4) Patients with pseudoarthrosis. Using region of interest (ROI) method we compared the activity on the site of fracture with the activity on the symmetrical place in the healthy bone. The relative indices for each group of patients and for each element of three-bone scintigraphy were calculated in order to make possible the follow up of the fracture healing and to obtain data for prognosis and evaluation of possible complications. Results: The most valuable results were obtained by quantitative analysis of perfusion data immediately after trauma and 2-3 weeks later. Our results show a high diagnostic accuracy in identifying infection by perfusion scintigrams immediately after trauma. The perfusion indices obtained immediately and after 2-3 weeks could predict delayed union after the trauma. Quantitative analysis of blood pool phase gave no data of clinical significance in distinguishing various pathologies. Conclusion: Our

Full Text Available The present study evaluated the impact of the angiographically documented collaterals on regional myocardial perfusion measured by 201thallium scintigraphy in patients with a chronic total occlusion.The study included 60 patients with chronic total occlusion who underwent rest-stress myocardial perfusionscintigraphy and coronary angiography. All patients had angiographic evidence of coronary collaterals. Patients were divided into two groups: group one had well-developed coronary collateral vessels (n=35 and group II had poor coronary collateral development (n=25.Patients with chronic total occlusion had severe and extensive stress-induced myocardial perfusion defects regardless of the grade of angiographic coronary collaterals. The perfusion defects in the group with good collaterals were predominantly reversible, suggesting that coronary collaterals preserved myocardial viability in the regions subtended by a total coronary occlusion. A significant correlation between good collaterals with complete protection and poor collaterals with no protection was noted.Our results demonstrate a protective effect of collaterals on myocardial perfusion during coronary occlusion. The effective angiographic collaterals may prevent resting regional wall motion abnormalities but do not appear to protect against stress-induced perfusion defect.

The 10cm x 10cm chamber has been used in conjunction with a new reconstruction algorithm. Ongoing investigations are testing system performance, including three-dimensional resolution and contrast ratio for various objects. The chambers have had some reliability problems. 30 references, 7 figures

Full text: Patients with Hyperthrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) frequently suffer from syncope and cardiac arrest which may lead to sudden death. This is most often caused by ventricular arrhythmia's in adults, however in young patients the mechanisms are thought to be different. Ischaemia may play a significant role even in young asymptomatic HCM patients. The mechanisms of ischaemic development in HCM differ from those in the 'normal' myocardium (Due to intramural small vessel abnormalities and abnormal myocellular architecture). In HCM the coronary microcirculation is most often affected and massive hypertrophy means more energy is required to promote contraction thus increasing oxygen demand and compounding the effects of any ischaemic changes. A case of a 12 year old HCM patient is presented who has symptoms of syncope associated with exercise whose mother died suddenly of cardiac arrest developed from HCM. A myocardial perfusion rest/stress study was undertaken to detect any underlying myocardial ischaemia. Myocardial perfusionscintigraphy demonstrates any reduction in the microcirculation in addition to that present in the macrocirculation, unlike angiography which will only detect the latter. In this case the scan clearly showed evidence of ischaemia in the lateral wall and this may be an explanation for her episodes of syncope. We suggest an algorithm or the routine work-up of young patients with HCM which makes aggressive use of myocardial perfusion imaging to detect ischaemic changes. This may identify patients who are at higher risk and will assist with treatment decisions. We feel myocardial perfusionscintigraphy is a sensitive non-invasive accurate method of detecting microcirculatory ischaemia and is thus invaluable in HCM patients

Renal scintigraphy data may be analyzed automatically by the use of a processing system coupled to an Anger camera (TRIDAC-MULTI 8 or CINE 200). The computing sequence is as follows: normalization of the images; background noise subtraction on both images; evaluation of mercury 197 uptake by the liver and spleen; calculation of the activity fractions on each kidney with respect to the injected dose, taking into account the kidney depth and the results referred to normal values; edition of the results. Automation minimizes the scattering parameters and by its simplification is a great asset in routine work [fr

Gamma-scintigraphy is a medical technique making it possible to fix the image of certain organs after the concentration in these of emitting radioactive products. It is already widely used in the case of the thyroid gland with iodine-132 by applying the isotope iodine 131. The study of the liver and gall bladder is carried out using colloidal gold 198 and Bengal pink marked with iodine 131. Serum albumin marked with iodine 131 makes it possible to study rachidian blockages. Other applications can already be foreseen in this direction. (author) [fr

The results of perfusionscintigraphy in patients which were treated with thrombolytic therapy depending on the efficiency of coronary blood flow recovery are compared. Reliable tendency to the reduction of disease focus in patients with myocardial infarction when the coronary blood flow is recovered is detected in investigations that proves the clinical efficiency of thrombolytic therapy. 12 refs.; 3 tabs

An acid perfusion test, isotope scanning, endoscopy, and esophageal biopsy were performed in 101 patients with symptoms strongly suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) disease. A positive acid perfusion test within 30 min (APT) and within 5 min (TAPT) was found in 70.2% and 37.6% of the patients, respectively. A positive APT was found significantly more often in patients with than without endoscopic esophagitis, whereas a positive TAPT was found significantly more often in patients with severe symptoms than in patients with moderate symptoms, and in a significantly higher proportion of patients with than without GER by scintigraphy. Neither the APT nor the TAPT showed any dependency on the presence of histologic esophagitis. Most (97%) patients with a negative acid perfusion test, in addition to typical symptoms, also presented with scintigraphic, endoscopic, or histologic evidence of GER disease. Although it shows that the acid perfusion test, particularly when early positive, may serve as a weak predictor of the severity of GER disease, the present study gives little support to the test's clinical usefulness.

To assess the role of computer-assisted tomography (CAT) and scintigraphy in brain exploration, the authors analysed: (1) the diagnostic effectiveness of the two methods in 300 patients examined over a period of seven months; (2) the role assigned to each investigation in 169 patients operated on for intracranial lesion during the same period. The isotopic brain examination always included an initial angiographic study after the intravenous injection of a technetium compound. Study of the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid was made with 111 In-DTPA. The detection efficiency of CAT is higher than for scintigraphy in expansive processes, whereas, conversely, in cerebrovascular accidents of ischaemic origin, isotope angiography coupled with static imaging enables one to gain more information on cerebral perfusion than CAT. Similarly, when studying the cerebrospinal fluid, scintigraphy provides a greater amount of specific data on the mechanisms governing hydrocephalus, the mode of operation of a shunt, or the site of a cerebrospinal fluid fistula. Within a neurosurgical context, CAT by and large takes precedence in brain examination, but the investigation is usually accompanied by scintigraphy or a conventional neuroradiological examination. Scintigraphy was performed on 66% of the patients, whereas for neuroradiological examination the figure was 44%. Most of the scintigraphy came after CAT so as to obtain additional diagnostic information on the vascularization, the nature and, on occasion, the exact location of the lesion revealed by CAT. In more than one case out of two, scintigraphy provides enough additional information for one to avoid neuroradiological examination, which is more 'aggressive' and more dangerous. Hence scintigraphy represents an effective complement to CAT and can compete with the conventional neuroradiological technique. (author)

This case shows endarteritis of left pulmonary artery in the angiographic study with absent perfusion of the left lung in the MAA 131 I scintigraphy. Considerations are made conderning the presumable diagnosis of infection by 'toxocara canis' larval form. The literature review don't point out a similar case. (author) [pt

In order to evaluate the capacity of myocardial perfusionscintigraphy with Tc99m-MIBI to predict the evolution of women referred for evaluation of precordial pain, the rates of cardiovascular events at one year were studied in a group of patients with normal scintigraphy (group 1: 17 patients) and in another with reversible perfusion defects (group 2: 17 patients). The one-day protocol was applied for scintigraphy with Tc99m-MIBI (rest/stress) with combined stress (ergometrin bicycle plus 0.28 mg/Ig of dipyridamole) in those cases where it was necessary. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the regional uptake was made. Patients from group 1 were younger than those from group 2 (average age: 49 vs 55, respectively, p = 0.04) and they had less hypercholesterolemia (112 % vs 59 %, respectively, p = 0.01). The rates of appearance of cardiovascular events at one year were calculated for patients from group 2 by using the Kaplan-Meier's method. The rates of appearance of clinical events (myocardial infarction and unstable angina) and of revascularization procedures (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and aortocoronary bypass surgery) were 0.24 in both cases. Only a patient from group 1 presented varying angina at 5 months. No deaths were reported in any of the groups. 94 % of the patients with normal perfusionscintigraphy were free of events after a one-year follow-up, whereas only 53 % of those with reversible perfusion defects showed a similar behavior. It was concluded that myocardial perfusionscintigraphy with Tc99m-MIBI is a useful tool to predict the evolution of women referred for evaluation of precordial pain at one year

The rapid growth of cardiac catheterization has raised questions about the availability of less costly, noninvasive tests such as cardiac scintigraphy and echocardiography. To assess their availability and rates of use, we surveyed 3778 non-federal short-term US hospitals in June, 1983. Overall, 2605 hospitals (69%) offered 201 Tl myocardial perfusion scans, 2580 (68%) 99mTc equilibrium gated blood pool scans, and 2483 (67%) cardiac shunt scans; 1679 hospitals (44%) offered M-mode and/or 2-dimensional echocardiography, and 768 (20%) pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Volumes of procedures varied enormously among hospitals capable of performing them. High volumes of both scintigraphy and echocardiography were performed in a small number of hospitals. Larger, voluntary, and teaching hospitals performed higher volumes of both procedures. Despite widespread availability of these noninvasive technologies, high volumes of both cardiac scintigraphy and echocardiography procedures are concentrated in a small number of US hospitals

The scintigraphy could be a good way to survey the osseous graft: three cases are studied in which were recognized the presence of a graft, surinfection, graft lysis, pseudo-arthrosis, algodystrophy. 8 refs., 5 figs

The pivotal role of lung scintigraphy in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) has been questioned in recent years due to the introduction of spiral computed tomography. However, the scintigraphic results used for comparisons are often those of the authoritative PIOPED (Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis) study, carried out in the 1980s. Pulmonary scintigraphy has progressed from those years both in the methodological and interpretative fields, although perhaps too slowly. Results better than those of PIOPED's have been presented by study groups who used: 1) perfusion-only approach; 2) SPET imaging; 3) new interpretative criteria; 4) different prediction rules to integrate clinical and scintigraphic probabilities of PE. These advances are still insufficiently recognised by the nuclear medicine community, possibly due to a sort of PIOPED-based cultural globalisation. This paper reviews the actual advantages and limitations of nuclear medicine techniques, the diagnostic role of scintigraphy within the diagnostic algorithms proposed by international working groups and scientific societies and the results obtained from SPET imaging in the diagnosis of PE

35 cases of myasthenia gravis were studied with RI scintigraphy. 67 Ga-citrate was used in 34 patients and 76 Se-selenomethionine in 5 patients for thymus scintigraphy. RI scintigram was negative in non-tumorous thymus, regardless of the severity of illness and it was positive in seven of nine patients with thymomas. RI accumulation in thymus was found both in benign and malignant thymomas. RI seems to accumulated in lymphocytic and mixed thymus more than epithelial type. (author)

35 cases of myasthenia gravis were studied with RI scintigraphy. /sup 67/Ga-citrate was used in 34 patients and /sup 76/Se-selenomethionine in 5 patients for thymus scintigraphy. RI scintigram was negative in non-tumorous thymus, regardless of the severity of illness and it was positive in seven of nine patients with thymomas. RI accumulation in thymus was found both in benign and malignant thymomas. RI seems to accumulated in lymphocytic and mixed thymus more than epithelial type.

Esophageal scintigraphy was developed in order to quantitatively evaluate esophageal transit in patients with a variety of esophageal disorders. The study is performed with orally administered technetium-99m sulfur colloid in water, using a gamma camera on-line to a digital computer. Esophageal transit is expressed as the percent emptying for each of the first 15-sec intervals for 10 min after an initial swallow and at 15-sec intervals after serial swallows. Esophageal transit is significantly decreased in patients with motor disorders of the esophagus, compared to normal controls. In patients with reflux esophagitis, esophageal transit was abnormal when the reflux disease was accompanied by abnormal motor function. The technique we describe is the first quantitative test of esophageal function; it is a useful, sensitive, scintigraphic technique for evaluation of esophageal transit

The hybrid scintigraphy device allows scintigrams to be recorded of the whole body in one single scan made parallel to the body. A single rod shaped sodium iodide crystal is used. One of its longitudinal faces is plane and transparent and is in optical contact with a transparent protection plate. The other longitudinal faces are dulled and coated with a light scattering layer of MgO or Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/. On one side of the crystal a collimator is installed for the incident gamma or X-radiation, on the transparent side there are a number of photomultipliers. They are optically coupled with the surface of the crystal by means of an interconnected light conductor. The outputs of the photomultipliers are combined with each other in resistance networks, summers or subtracters and a delay network and electronic circuits for time measurement, respectively.

Thallium-201 (Tl-201) myocardial emission computed tomography and whole body scintigraphy were performed using a rotating gamma camera in 64 patients with neurologic disease and 14 normal subjects. Thallium-201 myocardial perfusion defects were seen in 40 % of the muscular involvement in 47 patients with muscular dystrophy (MD), in whom morphological abnormality of the heart was common. There was strong relationship between the degree of left ventricular perfusion defects and the degree of pulmonary uptake of Tl-201. Thallium-201 whole body scintigraphy showed homogeneous distribution of Tl-201 in the extremities in normal subjects, and perfusion defects in 73 % of the muscular lesions in MD patients. Muscular and skeletal lesions for MD appear to progress independently. Thallium-201 imaging seems to be of clinical value in assessing the muscular and skeletal lesions. (Namekawa, K.)

One of the key elements in deciding whether a patient, bearing a bronchial carcinoma, should be subject to a surgery is the predicted value of the post-surgery maximal exhaled volume per second (MEVS), usually determined by means of an at-rest pulmonary perfusionscintigraphy. At the same time, this parameter remains rather badly correlated to mortality and peri-surgical morbidity. The goal of this study was to determine whether under-effort pulmonary perfusionscintigraphy, i.e. in peri-surgical conditions gives different results in this case. Twenty patients bearing bronchial carcinoma have benefited by a pulmonary scintigraphy, successively, in the end of an exercise on ergo-metric bicycle and at rest. Two mCi of Tc-labelled macro-aggregate albumin were injected after effort, then 10 mCi one hour later, at rest. The homo-lateral lung perfusion to tumor, expresses in % of total pulmonary perfusion (% TP), was reduced at rest (-8 ± 6%) and at effort (-10 ± 8%), in comparison with the normal values. On the analysis of ensemble of population (43 ± 7% vs 41 ± 9%, NS) the % TP did not changed significantly between the at-rest and under-effort acquisitions. At the same time, 4 patients presented important variation, amounting up to 20% of total pulmonary perfusion: the % TP increased in 2 cases and decreased in the other 2 cases. In conclusion, in the patients bearing bronchial carcinoma, the relative perfusion of tumoral lung varies under effort in a non-negligible number of cases (4/20). Additional studies are necessary to establish the value of under-effort pulmonary scintigraphy, in the evaluation of the post-surgery respiratory functional capacity

Exercise thallium scintigraphy has proven to be a sensitive method for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD). However, early redistribution of thallium and inadequate exercise can reduce its sensitivity. In this study, dobutamine was infused in incremental doses (5, 10, 15, and 20 micrograms/kg/min) in 24 patients being evaluated for chest pain. Thallium scintigraphy was completed during the maximum dose of dobutamine tolerated and repeated 4 hours later. Significant CAD was present in 16 patients; the remaining eight had normal coronaries. Exercise ECG was obtained in 23 patients. During dobutamine thallium scintigraphy, reversible perfusion defects occurred in 15 of 16 CAD and in one of eight non-CAD patients, resulting in a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 87%. Exercise ECG had a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 63%. We conclude that: (1) dobutamine thallium scintigraphy appears to be a sensitive method for detecting significant CAD and provided a more sensitive screening test than exercise ECG; (2) dobutamine thallium scintigraphy is especially useful in patients who cannot exercise; and (3) because imaging occurs during dobutamine infusion, the problem of early redistribution may be mitigated

Scintigraphy of the pancreas is important because of a lack of simple internal and x-ray pancreas diagnostic examination methods, non-burdening to the patient, yet providing sufficient evidence. We conceived a double isotope subtraction method aimed at widespread application; financially, it should be within the range even of smaller nuclear medicine departments. A scanner is combined with double impulse processing and a subtraction unit (Picker Dualscanner) and an adapted x-ray unit with the x-ray tube aimed at the scan-field. Commercial sup(Se-75)selenium methionine is used for pancreas imagining. sup(TC-99m)colloidal sulphur is used as a liver indicator. After barium-brei application orally, an x-ray is taken of the gastro-intestinal tract, so as to be able to delineate the pancreas from other epigastric organs also able to accumulate methionine. The subtraction photoscan is then inscribed on this pre-exposed film without any shift of the patient. It is also possible to use two parallel films (x-ray/photoscan) and then to superposition them

To compare lung perfusion in PAH and pCTEPH on dual-energy CT (DECT) examinations. Thirty-one patients with PAH (group 1; n = 19) and pCTEPH (group 2; n = 12) underwent a dual-energy chest CTA with reconstruction of diagnostic and perfusion images. Perfusion alterations were analysed at a segmental level. V/Q scintigraphy was available in 22 patients (group 1: 13/19; group 2: 9/12). CT perfusion was abnormal in 52.6 % of group 1 patients and in 100 % of group 2 patients (p = 0.0051). The patterns of perfusion alteration significantly differed between the two groups (p < 0.0001): (1) in group 1, 96.6 % of segments with abnormal perfusion showed patchy defects; (2) in group 2, the most frequent abnormalities consisted of patchy (58.5 %) and PE-type (37.5 %) defects. Paired comparison of CT perfusion and scintigraphy showed concordant findings in 76.9 % of group 1 (10/13) and 100 % of group 2 (9/9) patients, with a predominant or an exclusive patchy pattern in group 1 and a mixed pattern of abnormalities in group 2. Lung perfusion alterations at DECT are less frequent and more homogeneous in PAH than in pCTEPH, with a high level of concordant findings with V/Q scintigraphy. (orig.)

The value of lacrimal scintigraphy in the assessment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction was determined by comparing the results with syringing in 67 patients (83 eyes). As expected, of 28 lacrimal drainage systems which were obstructed on syringing, 23 (82%) had abnormalities of tear drainage on scintigraphy. However, in 55 lacrimal drainage systems that were patent on syringing, 19 (35%) were normal, but in 36 (65%) abnormalities not apparent on syringing were detected on scintigraphy. Thus scintigraphy is a very useful technique in the assessment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction particularly in systems patent on syringing. Since the site of obstruction can be determined, lacrimal scintigraphy can facilitate the planning of the appropriate surgery. (author)

Eight years of experience in scintigraphy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with 113 Insup(m)-colloid is reported. Two hundred cases are discussed. On the basis of the clinical diagnosis, the cases are divided into five groups: (1) spinal cord compression; (2) hydrocephalus of the adult and child; (3) control of extracranial CSF shunts; (4) CSF fistula; and (5) brain tumour. It is concluded that the radiopharmaceutical used has no limitations except in the study of the hydrocephalus of the adult. For those services remote from the production centres, it is a convenient option for CSF scintigraphy. (author)

Blood perfusion in the pulmonary artery is studied by pulmonary scintigraphy with macroaggregated albumin 131 I, in 74 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Results shown by scintigraphy are compared to those observed in roentgenography and also correlated with the extension and degree of the lesions, and with the presence of associated tuberculosis, considered capable of changing the scintigraphic picture. The reduction of blood flow in the pulmonary artery are observed in cases of infiltrative, fibrotic of caseous lesions, as well as in cases of minor lesions [pt

Blood perfusion in the pulmonary artery is studied by pulmonary scintigraphy with macroaggregated albumin /sup 131/I, in 74 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Results shown by scintigraphy are compared to those observed in roentgenography and also correlated with the extension and degree of the lesions, and with the presence of associated tuberculosis, considered capable of changing the scintigraphic picture. The reduction of blood flow in the pulmonary artery are observed in cases of infiltrative, fibrotic of caseous lesions, as well as in cases of minor lesions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of myocardial SPECT perfusion scan in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease in diabetic patients. A total number of thirty diabetic patients (21 males, 9 females) were included in the study. All the patients had strong risk-factors for coronary artery disease (strong family history, chronic smokers, hyperlipidemia, history of chest pain). All patients underwent coronary angiography and stress/rest myocardial perfusion SPECT scans with Tc-99m MIBI (two days protocol). Twenty two patients had significant coronary artery stenosis and 8 had normal coronary arteries. Myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) was positive in 19 subjects out of the 22 patients with significant stenosis (Sensitivity 86.4%) and negative (false negative) in only three. Out of 8 patients with normal angiography 7 had normal MPS (Specificity 87.5%) whereas only one patient revealed abnormality in the myocardial perfusion study. When compared with coronary angiography the positive predictive value and negative predictive value for Tc-99m MIBI myocardial perfusion scan was 86.4% and 87.5% respectively. In conclusion, Tc-99m MIBI myocardial perfusionscintigraphy is a useful screening modality for the detection of coronary artery disease in diabetic patients. (author)

The aim of the work is study of diagnostic valuation of myocardium scintigraphy with help of the 99m Tc-tetrophosmin, Myoview in determination of latent coronary blood-circulation destabilization in liquidators of the Chernobyl accident (LChA) and persons living in the Semipalatinsk test site (STS) region. The perfusion myocardium scintigraphy was made to 71 patients (5 women and 66 men) from those - 33 LChA and 37 - residents of STS region. The examination was carried out in 'ADAC Genesys Epic' apparatus (USA). Mean age of the patients was 46.3±2.3 years old. In the result of examination the left ventricle myocardium perfusion reduction on 30 % and more was revealed. The distribution of radiopharmaceutical by the myocardium parts were relatively proportional both with pharmacologic load (ATF, dipiridamol) and the rest in 48 (67.7 %) patients. So, the 99m Tc-tetrophosmin, Myoview pharmaceutical allows with high rate estimate the myocardium perfusion and get a high qualitative images, that permits to identify localization, character and distribution of myocardium perfusion reduction in the revealed areas. In the result of myocardine scintigraphy with the pharmacologic load trial conducting the both the latent coronary blood-circulation destabilization forms and the incoming ones were differentiated

Background: There has been much debate concerning the most suitable protocol for parathyroid scintigraphy; the merits of various radiopharmaceuticals versus the correct imaging protocol to visualise both ectopic and anatomically placed adenomas against the various equipment choices have been debated. Aim: To demonstrate, through the use of a case study, the necessity of changing imaging protocols for parathyroid scintigraphy where a definitive imaging diagnosis is absent in the face of strong clinical suspicion. Method: Use is made of Tc99mMIBI, full field chest scintigraphy, a clearly defined imaging protocol and SPECT imaging to locate ectopic parathyroid tissue in a female patient with significant symptoms of parathyroid hyperfunction. Results: A single hyperfunctioning adenoma is located in the pre-carinal area of the mediastinum. Using a radioguided surgical technique the hyperfunctioning tissue is excised and confirmed by histopathology. Conclusion: Whilst a dramatic reduction in patient symptoms was not seen immediately in this patient, the symptoms of the illness have been subsiding since January 2003. This case study demonstrates the necessity of changing imaging protocols for parathyroid scintigraphy where a definitive imaging diagnosis is absent in the face of strong clinical suspicion

The sensitivity of radionuclide imaging in identifying skeletal trauma in children has been established. Growth plates present a set of problems unique to pediatric studies and diagnotic accuracy is very technique dependent. Imaging for sports injuries and suspected child abuse has been productive. An expanding role for bone scintigraphy in the management of orthopedic problems post-trauma is developing [fr

We performed ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy in 13 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae and 21 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We used 99m Tc-MAA for perfusion scintigram and 133 Xe gas for ventilation scintigram. We added the radioactivities during the rebreathing phase of the ventilation scintigram to make a computerized image of the lung volume. Regions of interest (ROIs) were derived from radioactivities on each image. ROIs included each whole lung on lung volume (L) image and areas where radioactivity was greater than 70% of the highest radioactivity on perfusion (P70) image. We counted the area of ROIs on L and P70, and used the ratio of perfusion to lung volume (P70/L) as a parameter of pulmonary perfusion. P70/L in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae was significantly higher than that in those with COPD. This suggested that the area of high pulmonary perfusion is larger in the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae as compared with those with COPD. (author)

The diagnostic potential of ECG and scintigraphy exercise tests is assessed in the light of the experience gained by the authors in the detection of ischemic heart disease, and the complementary character of the two methods is emphasized. The rational and differentiated use of the two noninvasive examination methods requires an optimal clinical assessment of the patient's condition with regard to the probable incidence of the disease. Optimal diagnostic benefit (as compared with the ECG exercise test up to 32%) is shown of scintigraphy, especially in persons with multiple risk factors and atypical chest pain. With regard to the unavailability of perfusionscintigraphy of the myocardium in the authors' clinical practice, they recommend that this examination should mainly be indicated for patients who have a negative or uniterpretable ECG exercise test. (author). 1 tab., 13 refs

To evaluate the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial pacing and thallium 201 scintigraphy were performed in 36 patients with stable angina pectoris who were unable to perform an adequate exercise stress test. All patients underwent cardiac catheterization. Nine patients had previously undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. Significant CAD (one or more lesions greater than or equal to 50%) was present in 33 patients. Atrial pacing produced ischemic ST segment depression (greater than or equal to 1 mm) in 18 (55%) patients with CAD, and angina in 20 patients (61%). As the number of vessels with CAD increased, there was no significant change in the sensitivities of pacing-induced angina or ST segment depression for detecting CAD. In the 3 patients without CAD, ST segment depression occurred in 1 patient and angina in none. Thallium 201 scintigraphy demonstrated perfusion defects in 27 (82%) patients with CAD, with fixed defects seen in 13 studies (39%) and reversible defects in 15 (45%). In the 3 patients without CAD, no perfusion defects were seen. The thallium 201 scan successfully predicted the presence of CAD in patients with single-vessel disease but usually underestimated the number of vessels involved in patients with multivessel disease. Combined sensitivity of pacing-induced ST segment depression and an abnormal thallium 201 scan finding for detecting CAD was 91%. The authors conclude that combined atrial pacing and thallium 201 scintigraphy is a useful test for detecting CAD in patients unable to perform an adequate exercise stress test

Eighteen patients with postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) were examined with indium-111-labeled autologous platelet scintigraphy to identify intracardiac thrombi and to investigate the effect of antithrombotic agents on thrombogenesitiy within the LVA. Indium-111-platelet scintigraphy had a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 100% in detecting LVA mural thrombi. Among 6 patients showing false-negative scintigraphic studies, 4 was managed on antiplatelet therapy. Of 9 patients showing active platelet deposition on initial study, including 8 not receiving antiplatelet therapy, 5 were treated with tichlopidine (300 mg/day) for 29.8±5.0 days. For the 5 patients, 2 had resolution and the 3 others had interruption of intraaneurysmal deposition in the second platelet study. For one patient receiving the third platelet study after warfarin therapy, it took two weeks to completely interrupt platelet deposition within the LVA. ECG gated radionuclide ventriculography and thallium-201 myocardial SPECT were also performed to assess left ventricular wall motion of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and myocardial blood perfusion. Thallium-201 SPECT showed apical or anteroapical perfusion defects. Radionuclide ventriculography pinpointed all 18 apical and anteroseptal aneurysms. A comparison between the thrombus positive group and the thrombus negative group revealed no statistical differences in LVEF and the period from the last myocardial infarction to the initial platelet scanning. These results suggest that indium-111 labeled platelet scintigraphy may be useful for identifying active left ventricular mural thrombi and for judging antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy. (Namekawa, K)

Eighteen patients with postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) were examined with indium-111-labeled autologous platelet scintigraphy to identify intracardiac thrombi and to investigate the effect of antithrombotic agents on thrombogenesitiy within the LVA. Indium-111-platelet scintigraphy had a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 100% in detecting LVA mural thrombi. Among 6 patients showing false-negative scintigraphic studies, 4 was managed on antiplatelet therapy. Of 9 patients showing active platelet deposition on initial study, including 8 not receiving antiplatelet therapy, 5 were treated with tichlopidine (300 mg/day) for 29.8+-5.0 days. For the 5 patients, 2 had resolution and the 3 others had interruption of intraaneurysmal deposition in the second platelet study. For one patient receiving the third platelet study after warfarin therapy, it took two weeks to completely interrupt platelet deposition within the LVA. ECG gated radionuclide ventriculography and thallium-201 myocardial SPECT were also performed to assess left ventricular wall motion of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and myocardial blood perfusion. Thallium-201 SPECT showed apical or anteroapical perfusion defects. Radionuclide ventriculography pinpointed all 18 apical and anteroseptal aneurysms. A comparison between the thrombus positive group and the thrombus negative group revealed no statistical differences in LVEF and the period from the last myocardial infarction to the initial platelet scanning. These results suggest that indium-111 labeled platelet scintigraphy may be useful for identifying active left ventricular mural thrombi and for judging antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy. (Namekawa, K).

AIMS: We sought to describe perfusion dyssynchrony analysis specifically to exploit the high temporal resolution of stress perfusion CMR. This novel approach detects differences in the temporal distribution of the wash-in of contrast agent across the left ventricular wall. METHODS AND RESULTS:

In the treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE), the presence of residual emboli is known to seriously affect the recurrence and prognosis. We attempted to depict the residual emboli in the subacute stage of PE using indium-111-oxine labeled platelet scintigraphy (In-plt). In-plt was performed on 22 patients with PE who showed an improvement according to lung perfusionscintigraphy. Their accumulation was assessed along with the blood coagulation ability measured on the same day. In addition, radioisotope venography (RI-veno) was performed simultaneously with In-plt to measure the circulatory findings in the lower limb for comparison. All patients received systemic heparin during the acute stage and received warfarin at the time of testing. Accumulation of In-plt was observed in 7 patients (32%), and positive signals were found in the lower limbs or pelvic cavity in all cases. Two patients were suspected of having poor lower limb circulation from their RI-veno findings, and these findings were largely consistent with the areas of In-plt accumulation. Some emboli persist after extensive anti-coagulation therapy. The use of In-plt is effective in determining the therapeutic measures and assessing the prognosis as this method allows us to clearly depict the existence of such emboli. (author)

Recording of tissue perfusion is important in assessing the influence of peripheral vascular diseases on the microcirculation. This thesis reports on a laser doppler perfusion imager based on dynamic light scattering in tissue. When a low power He-Ne laser beam sequentally scans the tissue, moving blood cells generate doppler components in the back-scattered light. A fraction of this light is detected by a photodetector and converted into an electrical signal. In the processor, a signal proportional to the tissue perfusion at each measurement site is calculated and stored. When the scanning procedure is completed, a color-coded perfusion image is presented on a monitor. To convert important aspects of the perfusion image into more quantitative parameters, data analysis functions are implemented in the software. A theory describing the dependence of the distance between individual measurement points and detector on the system amplification factor is proposed and correction algorithms are presented. The performance of the laser doppler perfusion imager was evaluated using a flow simulator. A linear relationship between processor output signal and flow through the simulator was demonstrated for blood cell concentrations below 0.2%. The median sampling depth of the laser beam was simulated by a Monte Carlo technique and estimated to 235 μm. The perfusion imager has been used in the clinic to study perfusion changes in port wine stains treated with argon laser and to investigate the intensity and extension of the cutaneous axon reflex response after electrical nerve stimulation. The fact that perfusion can be visualized without touching the tissue implies elimination of sterilization problems, thus simplifying clinical investigations of perfusion in association with diagnosis and treatment of peripheral vascular diseases. 22 refs

The objective of this study is to determine the discriminant accuracy of exercise thallium-201 myocardial perfusionscintigraphy for the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. This is a survey of the National Library of Medicine MEDLINE database. The key medical subject headings used were coronary disease, myocardial infarction, radionuclide imaging, and thallium. A total of 122 retrieved studies were considered relevant and were reviewed in depth. Only studies reporting both the sensitivity and specificity of thallium scintigraphy were analyzed. Discriminant accuracy for diagnosis and prognosis was summarized in terms of pooled sensitivity and specificity. Exercise thallium scintigraphy is useful in the noninvasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease, especially in patients with abnormal resting electrocardiograms, restricted exercise tolerance, and intermediate probability of having disease at the time of testing as well as of defining the prognosis of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease, especially in those with previous myocardial infarction. Because of various shortcomings in the published record, however, the marginal discriminant accuracy and cost effectiveness of thallium scintigraphy compared with conventional clinical assessment and exercise electrocardiography remain controversial. 193 references

The effects of peripheral cold exposure on myocardial perfusion and function were studied in 13 patients with scleroderma without clinically evident myocardial disease. Ten patients had at least one transient, cold-induced, myocardial perfusion defect visualized by thallium-201 scintigraphy, and 12 had reversible, cold-induced, segmental left ventricular hypokinesis by two-dimensional echocardiography. The 10 patients with transient perfusion defects all had anatomically corresponding ventricular wall motion abnormalities. No one in either of two control groups (9 normal volunteers and 7 patients with chest pain and normal coronary arteriograms) had cold-induced abnormalities. This study is the first to show the simultaneous occurrence of cold-induced abnormalities in myocardial perfusion and function in patients with scleroderma. The results suggest that cold exposure in such patients may elicit transient reflex coronary vasoconstriction resulting in reversible myocardial ischemia and dysfunction. Chronic recurrent episodes of coronary spasm may lead to focal myocardial fibrosis

To evaluate the myocardial perfusion during transient coronary occlusion, we attempted to obtain the myocardial scintigraphy during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Tl-201 was injected at the last inflation of angioplastic balloon and occlusion was kept on for 60 sec. Planar images or SPECT were obtained immediately after PTCA. With this protocol, myocardial perfusion defects were observed during PTCA and fully redistributed 3 hours after Tl injection. Extent of ischemic lesions were almost same as that observed during exercise in two cases without collateral vessels. In a case with well visualized collateral vessels, perfusion defect was smaller in PTCA images than that in exercise stressed images. We conclude that intravenous injection of Tl-201 during PTCA is useful to assess the alteration of myocardial perfusion due to transient coronary occlusion without increasing the risk of angioplastic procedure. (author)

Stress thallium scintigraphy was performed in 60 patients with chest pain of uncertain origin. Myocardial ischemia was identified in 91% og the 47 patients who had angiographically significant coronary artery stenosis. Sensitivity of thallium scintigraphy was highest in patients with stenosis in the left descending coronary artery (LAD); 91% of the patients had abnormal thallium as compared with 67% of the patients with normal LAD, but significant stenosis in the circumflex artery and/or the right coronary artery. Perfusion defects in the circumflex or right coronary artery regions were detected in only 50% of the patients with multiple vessel disease. The authors conclude that stress thallium scintigraphy is a useful diagnostic procedure in patients with chest pain of uncertain origin and identifies the patients to be selected for coronary artery angiography. 15 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs

Accelerated coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction in young patients with systemic lupus erythematosus is well documented; however, the prevalence of coronary involvement is unknown. Accordingly, 26 patients with systemic lupus were selected irrespective of previous cardiac history to undergo exercise thallium-201 cardiac scintigraphy. Segmental perfusion abnormalities were present in 10 of the 26 studies (38.5 percent). Five patients had reversible defects suggesting ischemia, four patients had persistent defects consistent with scar, and one patient had both reversible and persistent defects in two areas. There was no correlation between positive thallium results and duration of disease, amount of corticosteroid treatment, major organ system involvement or age. Only a history of pericarditis appeared to be associated with positive thallium-201 results (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that segmental myocardial perfusion abnormalities are common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Whether this reflects large-vessel coronary disease or small-vessel abnormalities remains to be determined

For a study of the natural history of coronary artery lesions after Kawasaki disease and their effect on myocardial blood flow reserve with exercise, five such patients underwent exercise testing on a bicycle. Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, minute ventilation, and electrocardiograms were monitored continuously. Thallium-201 scintigraphy was performed for all patients. One patient stopped exercise before exhaustion of cardiovascular reserve but had no evidence of myocardial perfusion abnormalities. Four patients terminated exercise because of exhaustion of cardiovascular reserve; one had normal cardiovascular reserve and thallium scintiscans, but the remaining patients had diminished cardiovascular reserve. Thallium scintigrams showed myocardial ischemia in two and infarction in one. No patient had exercise-induced electrocardiographic changes. These results indicate that patients with residual coronary artery lesions after Kawasaki disease frequently have reduced cardiovascular reserve during exercise. The addition of thallium scintigraphy and metabolic measurements to exercise testing improved the detection of exercise-induced abnormalities of myocardial perfusion

In 22 drug addicts, the clinical diagnosis of osteomyelitis and/or septic arthritis was suspected because of symptoms of sepsis and pain in various locations. All patients underwent bone scintigraphy with 17-20 mCi of /sup 99/sup(m)Tc labeling either pyrophosphate or methylene diphosphonate. Whole body and spot scans located the area of disease in most patients. This permitted biopsy of the affected area when the pathogen recurs. One of the two patients whose scintigrams were normal was on adequate treatment before the bone scintigram and the other was on oxacillin. Radiographs of the affected areas were normal, which indicates bone scintigraphy should be preferred to radiography in the early diagnosis of osseous infections.

In 22 drug addicts, the clinical diagnosis of osteomyelitis and/or septic arthritis was suspected because of symptoms of sepsis and pain in various locations. All patients underwent bone scintigraphy with 17-20 mCi of 99 sup(m)Tc labeling either pyrophosphate or methylene diphosphonate. Whole body and spot scans located the area of disease in most patients. This permitted biopsy of the affected area when the pathogen recurs. One of the two patients whose scintigrams were normal was on adequate treatment before the bone scintigram and the other was on oxacillin. Radiographs of the affected areas were normal, which indicates bone scintigraphy should be preferred to radiography in the early diagnosis of osseous infections. (orig.) [de

25 patients with chronic renal disease are investigated. In 16 cases with conservative treatment the bone scintigram showed pathological uptake according to the creatinine level, mainly in the joints of iliosacrum, hip, knee and ankles. In three patients increased uptake in the skull was found. The bone uptake found by scintigraphy was highly pronounced in the patients treated by dialysis. The most frequently involved regions were the joints of iliocacrum and hip, facial cranium, skull, pelvis and metatarsus. The count-rate ratio of cranium to chest was significantly increased in 6 patients. The investigations 6 months later showed in 4 cases a further increase compared with the first values. Count-rates of the skull were found to be comparable to the highly increased uptake in Paget's disease. Bone scintigraphy is a suitable method to estimate semiquantitatively the bone turnover in renal disease. (orig.) [de

Extraosseus enrichments are common findings in bone scintigraphy. Main causes are artifacts by skin or cloth contamination, paravenous and subcutaneous injection. Physical examination, removal of cloths, skin cleaning or further images in differing projections lead to the correct diagnosis artefact or extraosseous enrichments. Further on, extraosseous enrichments are seen in physiological variants. In different diseases extraosseous enrichments are common, especially in urinary tract, liver and extremities. Further diagnostics, e.g. conventional radiologic procedures, sonography and CT scans, have to be performed. In individual cases side results in bone scintigraphy lead to formerly unknown diagnosis, further diagnostic procedure is influenced decisively. Own cases show for example a cerebral apoplectic insult, formerly unknown liver metastasis or metastasis in extraosseous Ewings's sarcoma. (orig.) [de

Bone scintigraphy with Tc-99m HEDP was performed in 30 patients on maintenance hemodialysis, and the results of quantitative analysis were compared wth those of a normal group. To permit this comparison, elevated background activity due to the absence of renal radiotracer excretion was reduced by hemodialysis to levels found in the normals. Histologic proof of renal osteodystrophy had been obtained in all patients. the incidence of radiographic abnormalities was 46%, whereas abnormal scans were found in 25 patients (83%); skeletal lesions were also more pronounced and detected earlier. However, even when the scans appeared normal, the quantitative analysis showed increased skeletal activity in all patients. The total skeletal activity proved to be a good index of the severity of renal osteodystrophy and appeared dependent on both osteomalacia and hyperparathyroidism. These findings show that bone scintigraphy is a sensitive method to detect skeletal involvement in renal osteodystrophy

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) is a major complication for patients with end-stage renal disease on long-term hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. When the disease is resistant to medical treatment, patients with severe sHPT are typically referred for parathyroidectomy (PTx), which usually improves biological parameters as well as clinical signs and symptoms. Unfortunately, early surgical failure with persistent disease may occur in 5%–10% of patients and recurrence reaches 20%–30% at 5 years. Presently, the use of parathyroid scintigraphy in sHPT is usually limited to the management of surgical failures after initial PTx. This review describes the strengths and limitations of typical 99mTc-sestamibi imaging protocols, and highlights the potential benefits of using parathyroid scintigraphy in the initial workup of surgical patients. PMID:23751837

Two cases of ventilator-related neonatal lobar overexpansion with similar radiographic appearance, but probably different pathogenesis, are presented. In one infant, persistent interstitial lobar emphysema was confirmed by markedly decreased perfusion shown on scintigraphy; this information was of great value in predicting the beneficial effect of lobectomy. In the other case, ventilation and perfusion scans indicated functional value of the emphysematous lobe and correctly suggested conservative management. Radioisotope lung scans may provide valuable information regarding lung function in regional pulmonary emphysema associated with assisted ventilation in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, and thus determine patient management

/Q) scintigraphy with single-photon emission CT (SPECT)/CT. V/Q SPECT/CT demonstrated abolished ventilation due to obstruction of the left main bronchus and markedly reduced perfusion of the entire left lung, a condition that was completely reversed after removal of a blood clot. We present the first pictorially......It is generally assumed that the lungs possess arterial autoregulation associated with bronchial obstruction. A patient with pneumonia and congestive heart failure unexpectedly developed frequent haemoptysis. High-resolution CT and diagnostic CT were performed as well as ventilation/perfusion (V...

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a computer-based decision support system (DSS) on performance and inter-observer variability of interpretations regarding ischaemia and infarction in myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS). METHODS: Seven physicians independently...... with the advice of the DSS showed less inter-observer variability than those made without advice. CONCLUSION: This study shows that a DSS can improve performance and reduces the inter-observer variability of interpretations in myocardial perfusion imaging. Both experienced and, especially, inexperienced...

We performed exercise thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy in 32 patients with angina pectoris to study the incidence of perfusion defects, who had no significant organic stenosis on coronary angiography. None of them had myocardial infarction or cardiomyopathy. Thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy and 12-lead ECG recording were performed during supine bicycle ergometer exercise. Perfusion defects in thallium-201 scintigrams in SPECT images were assessed during visual analysis by two observers. In the coronary angiograms obtained during intravenous infusion of nitroglycerin, the luminal diameter of 75% stenosis or less in the AHA classification was regarded as an insignificant organic stenosis. Myocardial perfusion defects in the thallium-201 scintigrams were detected in eight (25%) of the 32 patients. Six of these eight patients had variant angina documented during spontaneous attacks with ST elevations in standard 12-lead ECGs. Perfusion defects were demonstrated at the inferior or infero-posterior regions in six patients, one of whom had concomitant anteroseptal defect. The defects were not always accompanied by chest pain. All but one patient demonstrating inferior or inferoposterior defects showed ST depression in leads II, III and aV F on their ECGs, corresponding to inferior wall ischemia. The exception was a case with right bundle branch block. Thus, 25% of the patients with angina pectoris, who had no evidence of significant organic stenosis on their coronary angiograms, exhibited exercise-induced perfusion defects in their thallium-201 scintigrams. Coronary spasms might have caused myocardial ischemia in these patients. (author)

Bone scans of patients with diabetic osteoarthropathy of the ankle and foot were characterized by a combination of diffuse and focal increased uptake, similar to that seen with hyperemia and reactive new bone formation. Scintigraphy showed more extensive abnormalities than radiography, with the scan abnormalities sometimes preceding the radiographic changes. The clinical and scintigraphic appearance of osteoarthropathy may improve following strict diabetic control and non-weight-bearing

The liver scintigraphies of five patients with fulminant hepatitis were examined. Scintiphotos using sup(99m)Tc-phytate were taken within two weeks after the onset. Scintiphotos of 12 normal subjects, 11 cases with acute hepatitis, 17 cases with liver cirrhosis were served as control. Their scintiphotos showed reduction of the size, well-maintained uptake, mostly homogenous RI distribution, and no left lobe enlargement, which could differentiate them from the chronic liver dysfunction. In one of the cases chronological changes in liver scintigraphy were observed. The size of the liver was reduced progressively until the 16th day and re-enlarged at the 30th day and thereafter. Three indices [S/W, (R + L)/W, and L/R] were calculated. S: area of liver, R or L: longitudinal length of the right or left lobe, W: body width. Relative size of the liver expressed by S/W or (R + L)/W showed significant reduction in fulminant hepatitis compared with acute hepatitis. However, they were not different significantly from those of normal subjects. Except for liver cirrhosis, L/R (left lobe swelling index) did not show significant differences among fulminant hepatitis, normal subjects, and acute hepatitis. These indices were also useful in follow-up study of the liver scintigraphy. The liver scintigraphy in the early phase of fulminant hepatitis seems to reflect the degree of massive hepatic necrosis. It is also useful to differentiate chronic hepatic failure. Apparant reduction in scintigraphical liver size seems to suggest poor prognosis, however, it should also kept in mind that the size of the liver in this condition might change quite rapidly and greatly. (author)

Isotopic explorations of kidney transplants were performed on sixty-six patients. Three scintigraphic techniques were used: labelled ferrous ascorbate scintigraphy, sequential 99m technetium DTPA scintigraphy and the 131 I hippuran nephrogram. The aim of this study is to analyse the results obtained under different pathological circumstances affecting the transplant, to discuss the advantages of the techniques and to propose a working procedure. The most reliable and accurate technique is the 131 I hippuran nephrogram combined with sequential 99mTc DTPA, by which renal vascularisation may be judged labelled ferrous ascorbate on the other hand is too insensitive. Although the information supplied is mostly contained in the scintigraphic images, the nephrographic curves and the blood radioactivity decay time and rad V/rad R ratio measurements are very helpful in the early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of complications affecting the transplant. The proper use of isotopic scintigraphy in kidney grafting should provide optimum conditions for better survival of the transplant at minimum risk to the patient [fr

Background: Images of myocardial perfusion taken during an episode of chest pain have been used for patients in the emergency department. Objective: To evaluate the operating characteristics of 99m Tc-Tetrofosmin scintigraphy during an episode of chest pain to exclude the diagnosis of cute myocardial infarction. Methods: One hundred and eight patients admitted with chest pain, or up to four hours after the end of symptoms and non diagnostic electrocardiogram, underwent resting scintigraphy and measurement of troponin I concentrations. Patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) were not excluded (24 patients). Troponin I concentrations were determined at admission and 6 hours later. Nuclear physicians performed a blind analysis of the images, and myocardial infarction was confirmed whenever troponin I level increase was three times that of the control. Results: Resting perfusion image was abnormal in all 6 patients with MI. Only 1 patient had a normal image and increased troponin levels. Fifty-five patients had positive images without MI, and 46 patients had normal images and troponin levels. The prevalence of the disease was 6.5%. The sensitivity and specificity of the resting images during an episode of chest pain to diagnose MI was 85.7% and 45.5%, respectively. The negative predictive value was 97.7%. Conclusion: Patients undergoing chest pain protocol with SPECT showed an excellent negative predictive value to exclude diagnosis of myocardial infarction. These results suggest that resting perfusion image is an important tool at the chest pain unit. (author)

To assess the pulmonary function of lung cancer patients treated by radiotherapy, we tried qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of pulmonary scintigrams using 133 Xe and 99m Tc-MAA. Individual scores for ventilation, perfusion and the ventilation-perfusion ratio of tumor-bearing lungs were calculated on the basis of healthy control cases in order to analyze whether, and to what degree, the tumor-bearing lung was functionally impaired. The score was proportional to the severity of impairment, and when the ventilation and perfusion of tumor-bearing lungs had a score of one or greater than one, the tumor-bearing lung was functionally defined as an 'impaired lung'. Impaired lungs were demonstrated in 68% of tumor-bearing lungs. Hilar and left hilar-type cancers, clinically more advanced cancers, patients whose tumors were confirmed by bronchofiberscopy, small-cell and epidermoid cancers, etc., had higher rates of impairment and more severe impairment. Many patients with impaired lungs had a worse prognosis, but patients in whom scintigraphy showed improvement after radiotherapy had a better prognosis. It can be concluded that pulmonary scintigraphy scoring is capable of semiquantitatively indicating the degree of pulmonary impairment and is useful in deciding on a radiotherapeutic plan and predicting the outcome in pre- and post-radiotherapy lung cancer patients. (author)

Half the patients with coronary artery disease present with sudden death - or acute infarction as first symptom, making early diagnosis pivotal. Myocardial perfusionscintigraphy is frequently used in the assessment of these patients, but it does not detect the disease without flow restriction, exposes the patient to high levels of radiation and is costly. On the other hand, with less radiological exposure, calcium score is directly correlated to the presence and extension of coronary atherosclerosis, and also to the risk of cardiovascular events. Even though calcium score is a tried-and-true method for stratification of asymptomatic patients, its use is still reduced in this context, since current guidelines are contradictory to its use on symptomatic diseases. The aim of this review is to identify, on patients under investigation for coronary artery disease, the main evidence of the use of calcium score associated with functional evaluation and scintigraphy. (author)

Myocardial perfusionscintigraphy with the isotope 201 thallium is a new non-invasive technique for the diagnosis of ischaemic heart disease. This article presents the results of scintigraphy in four persons with presumably healthy hearts and 12 with ischaemic heart disease. In addition, some foreign works are reviewed. The method possesses only slightly greater nosographical sensitivity than the exercise ECG alone but can be employed to advantage if the results of the exercise ECG are inconclusive e.g. on account of bundle branch block, digoxin therapy etc. Another, although somewhat more special indication, is employment prior to and after coronary artery by-pass operation with subsequent control of the result. (authors)

Lung ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy is of great value for the management of patients with both primary lung disease and heart disease, by proving patho- physiological information of importance for the diagnosis, follow-up and functional evaluation of the patients. Krypton 81m radioactive gas is preferable for pediatric application due to its short half-life. However, the rubidium-krypton 81m generator is not popular in hospital of our country. Tc99m DTPA radioaerosol ventilation scintigraphy has its unique convenient for clinical application. But, the most disadvantage of clinical application of Tc99m DTPA radioaerosol is contamination of environment when the poor-cooperative patient can't breathe by mouth. For this reason, we design the certain procedure to reduce the radioaerosol contamination. During May to Aug., 1999, we collect 36 pediatric patients (male to female ratio 2:1, age from 6 months to 20 years old) with clinical history of lung or heart disease, including congenital heart disease, asthma and so on. Before the cases receive 10 to 15 mCi Tc99m DTPA radioaerosol ventilation scan, all of them were trained with breath training. And during the ventilation scintigraphy, the special mouth mask is designed to prevent the radioaerosol leakage into atmosphere. Then Geiger-Muller survey meter was arranged to detect the environmental contamination of radioaerosol in the mask, one and two metes away from the mask every 10 minutes during ventilation scintigraphy procedure and 1 hour after finishing image. Two nuclear medicine physicians evaluated imaging quality of ventilation scintigraphy. Results: Among thirty-six pediatric patients with prior breath training, thirty-two cases are successful to proceed the Tc99m DTPA ventilation scintigraphy. The other four cases that were under three-year-old fail to receive ventilation scintigraphy. There is limited detectable radioactivity in the mouth mask at early 10 minute by Geiger-Muller counter. No significant

In oro-maxillofacial malignancies, new therapeutic approaches are placing changing demands on the diverse diagnostic modalities. In contradistinction to mandibular reconstruction of former years, the transplants (microvascular anastomosed pedicled flaps, ''flaps'') now consist of one or more arteries feeding a soft tissue component attached to a piece of bone suitably fitted to fill the defect. We addressed the diagnostic value of technetium-99m tetrofosmin scintigraphy in differentiating between viability and non-viability of the soft tissue portion of flaps in the immediate postoperative assessment. A total of 60 patients who had received flaps for reconstruction of the mandible after partial resection were investigated with {sup 99m}Tc-tetrofosmin 3-5 days after surgery. Scintigraphy consisted of (a) radionuclide angiography, (b) static planar imaging in four projections starting at 10 min post injection, and (c) single-photon emission tomography (SPET) performed immediately after the planar imaging. Normal perfusion associated with no defects throughout the soft tissue portion of the transplant was observed in 46/60 patients. This scintigraphic pattern was identical to viability and normal postoperative follow-up. Hypoperfusion and small defects on planar and SPET images indicated viability and uncomplicated postoperative healing in 6/60 patients, but non-viability/inadequate healing of the flap in 4/60 patients. Absence of perfusion combined with a large defect on static planar and SPET images definitively showed the non-viability of the flap (4/60 patients). It is concluded that {sup 99m}Tc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy is a sensitive diagnostic tool for the immediate postoperative assessment of the viability and the adequacy of implantation of the soft tissue portion of flaps. Therefore tetrofosmin scintigraphy is an important modality in order (a) to define the optimal therapeutic regimen in the immediate postoperative period and (b) to

An 88-yr-old man, with prior left upper lobectomy and phrenic nerve injury, had a ventilation/perfusion lung image. Both wash-in and equilibrium ventilation images showed no radioactive gas in the left lung. Nevertheless, the left lung was perfused. A similar result was obtained on a repeat study 8 days later. Delayed images, during washout, showed some radioactive gas in the left lung. Nearly absent ventilation (but continued perfusion) of that lung might have been related to altered gas dynamics brought about by the prior lobectomy, a submucosal bronchial lesion, phrenic nerve damage, and limited motion of the left part of the diaphragm. This case raises the issue of the degree of ventilation (and the phase relationship between the lungs) required for the entry of radioactive gas into a diseased lung, and the production of a ''reversed ventilation/perfusion mismatch.''

An acid perfusion test, isotope scanning, endoscopy, and esophageal biopsy were performed in 101 patients with symptoms strongly suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) disease. A positive acid perfusion test within 30 min (APT) and within 5 min (TAPT) was found in 70.2% and 37.6% of the patients, respectively. A positive APT was found significantly more often in patients with than without endoscopic esophagitis, whereas a positive TAPT was found significantly more often in patients with severe symptoms than in patients with moderate symptoms, and in a significantly higher proportion of patients with than without GER by scintigraphy. Neither the APT nor the TAPT showed any dependency on the presence of histologic esophagitis. Most (97%) patients with a negative acid perfusion test, in addition to typical symptoms, also presented with scintigraphic, endoscopic, or histologic evidence of GER disease. Although it shows that the acid perfusion test, particularly when early positive, may serve as a weak predictor of the severity of GER disease, the present study gives little support to the test's clinical usefulness

Planar perfusionscintigraphy with 99m Tc-labeled macroaggregated albumin is often used for pretherapy quantification of regional lung perfusion in lung cancer patients, particularly those with poor respiratory function. However, subdividing lung parenchyma into rectangular regions of interest, as done on planar images, is a poor reflection of true lobar anatomy. New tridimensional methods using SPECT and SPECT/CT have been introduced, including semiautomatic lung segmentation software. The present study evaluated inter- and intraobserver agreement on quantification using SPECT/CT software and compared the results for regional lung contribution obtained with SPECT/CT and planar scintigraphy. Methods: Thirty lung cancer patients underwent ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy with 99m Tc-macroaggregated albumin and 99m Tc-Technegas. The regional lung contribution to perfusion and ventilation was measured on both planar scintigraphy and SPECT/CT using semiautomatic lung segmentation software by 2 observers. Interobserver and intraobserver agreement for the SPECT/CT software was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman plots, and absolute differences in measurements. Measurements from planar and tridimensional methods were compared using the paired-sample t test and mean absolute differences. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients were in the excellent range (above 0.9) for both interobserver and intraobserver agreement using the SPECT/CT software. Bland-Altman analyses showed very narrow limits of agreement. Absolute differences were below 2.0% in 96% of both interobserver and intraobserver measurements. There was a statistically significant difference between planar and SPECT/CT methods ( P software is highly reproducible. This tridimensional method yields statistically significant differences in measurements for right lung lobes when compared with planar scintigraphy. We recommend that SPECT/CT-based quantification be used for all lung

Sequential abdominal scintigrams with 99m Tc-labelled red blood cells (RBC) were subtracted for observing a site of gastrointestinal bleeding and calculating the bleeding rate. This method is technically very easy and can detect the site of bleeding with the minimum rate, as low as 0.2 ml/min., in a phantom experiment. In 23 cases with final diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding, conventional non-subtraction scintigraphy detected only 30% (7/23), but subtraction scintigraphy detected 61% (14/23). It was concluded that subtraction scintigraphy had higher sensitivity than conventional scintigraphy for early diagnosing bleeding. A combination of non-subtraction and subtraction scintigraphy is recommended to detect a site of gastrointestinal bleeding in a clinical setting. (author)

A long-term study has been performed on 285 lung perfusion scintigrams obtained from 113 patients with cystic fibrosis. Transverse and longitudinal comparisons with clinical and radiological scores, as well as retrospective analysis of the deceased patients, were the methods used in order to evaluate the importance of the scintigraphic images. It appears that lung scintigraphy is the best index of the regional lung impairment, and contributes, as does a chest radiograph, to the early detection of lung lesions, the two methods being complementary

Full Text Available Aim: Dynamic renal scintigraphy can demonstrate both structural and functional renal pathologies. Our aim was to evaluate renal functions in children by technetium-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Tc-99m DTPA dynamic renal scintigraphy, and todetermine the frequency of scintigraphically detectable atrophic kidneys. Material and Method: Dynamic renal scintigraphy studies of 17 children (12 males, five females with urinary system complaints, having a mean age of 6.15 ± 4.41 years, were included in this retrospective study. Images were obtained with a dual-head gamma camera after intravenous (IV injection of Tc-99m DTPA. Results: The functions of 34 kidneys were evaluated. Decreased perfusion of the left and right kidneys was detected in 35.3% (n=6/17 and 11.8% (n=2/17 of cases, respectively. Prolongation in Tmax of the left and right kidneys was shown in 52.9% (n=9/17 and 29.4% (n=5/17 of the cases, respectively. Glomerular filtration rate of the left and right kidneys was normal in 64.7% (n=11/17 and 88.2% (n=15/17 of cases, respectively. Delayed excretion of the left and right kidneys wasdetected in 29.4% (n=5/17 and 11.8% (n=2/17 of cases, respectively. Stasis of urine in the left and right kidneys which responded to IV diuretics wasdemonstrated in 58.8% (n=10/17 and 70.6% (n=12/17 of cases, respectively. Dynamic renal scintigraphy findings in favour of left and right renal atrophy were obtained in 17.6% (n=3/17 and 5.9% (n=1/17 of cases, respectively. Discussion: Dynamic renal scintigraphy with Tc-99m DTPA was found to be useful in the evaluation of renal functions of children and in determining the frequency of atrophic kidneys.

The authors carried out ventilation-perfusionscintigraphy and pulmonary function tests in 21 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It was used [sup 99m]Tc-macroaggregate for perfusion scintigram and [sup 133]Xe gas for ventilation scintigram. It was added the radioactivities of rebreathing phase and made lung volume image using a computer. Regions of interest (ROIs) were derived from radioactivities in each image. ROIs on lung volume image included each whole lung and those on perfusion image included the areas which had relatively high radioactivity. The authors counted the area of ROIs on lung volume (L) and perfusion (P) images. Then it was used the ratio of perfusion to lung volume (P/L) as a parameter of pulmonary perfusion. P/L had the significant correlations with the vital capacity, the actual FFV[sub 1.0], arterial oxygen partial pressure, diffusing capacity, RV/TLC and peak flow rate. These results suggested that P/L was a useful parameter of pulmonary perfusion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (author).

Pharmacologic coronary vasodilation in conjunction with myocardial perfusionscintigraphy has become an alternative to dynamic exercise test for the diagnosis and risk stratification of coronary artery disease, especially in patients who are unable to perform adequate exercise. Dipyridamole and adenosine have been used for pharmacologic stress testing with myocardial perfusion imaging. Adenosine is a potent, coronary vasodilator with rapid onset of action, short half life, near maximal coronary vasodilation and less serious side effects. ST segment depression has been reported in about 7-15% of patients with coronary artery disease receiving dipyridamole in conjunction with myocardial perfusion imaging. The exact cause and clinical significance are not known. In order to evaluate the relationship between adenosine-induced ST segment depression during 99m Tc-MIBI myocardial perfusionscintigraphy and the severity of coronary artery disease, we performed 99m -MIBI imaging after intravenous infusion of adenosine in 120 patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Of the 120 patients, 28 also performed coronary angiography. There were 24 patients with ST segment depression during 99m Tc-MIIBI scintigraphy and 96 patients without ST segment depression. Adenosine was infused intravenously at a dose of 0.14 mg/kg per minute for 6 minutes and 99 MmTc-MIB1 was injected at 3 minute. We then compared the hemodynamic changes, side effects, scintigraphic and angiographic findings. Heart rate increased 90 ± 19 beats/minute in the group with ST depression compared with 80 ±16 beats/minute in the group without ST depression(p 9m Tc-MIBI images were abnormal in 23(96%) patients with ST segment depression and 66(69%) patients without ST segment depression(p 99m Tc-MIBI myocardial perfusionscintigraphy with intravenous adenosine is related to the severity of coronary artery disease.

Emphasis is placed on the considerable improvement due to the computer in pancreatic scintigraphy, which has become more exact as a result. A liver subtraction technique is used. From the data acquired in this method two matrices are established, one for selenomethionine 75 and the other for gold 198. For processing the data are integrated in two broad hepatic areas, of coordinates identical in the two scintigrams, and their ratio is found; the computer multiplies the specifically hepatic matrix by this ratio then subtracts one from the two scintigrams thus normalized. The background can be subtracted from the resulting image.

Introduction Muscle perfusion is a physiologic process that can undergo quantitative assessment and thus define the range of normal values of perfusion indexes and perfusion reserve. The investigation of the microcirculation has a crucial role in determining the muscle perfusion. Materials and method The study included 30 examinees, 24-74 years of age, without a history of confirmed peripheral artery disease and all had normal findings on Doppler ultrasonography and pedo-brachial index of lower extremity (PBI). 99mTc-MIBI tissue muscle perfusionscintigraphy of lower limbs evaluates tissue perfusion in resting condition "rest study" and after workload "stress study", through quantitative parameters: Inter-extremity index (for both studies), left thigh/right thigh (LT/RT) left calf/right calf (LC/RC) and perfusion reserve (PR) for both thighs and calves. Results In our investigated group we assessed the normal values of quantitative parameters of perfusion indexes. Indexes ranged for LT/RT in rest study 0.91-1.05, in stress study 0.92-1.04. LC/RC in rest 0.93-1.07 and in stress study 0.93-1.09. The examinees older than 50 years had insignificantly lower perfusion reserve of these parameters compared with those younger than 50, LC (p=0.98), and RC (p=0.6). Conclusion This non-invasive scintigraphic method allows in individuals without peripheral artery disease to determine the range of normal values of muscle perfusion at rest and stress condition and to clinically implement them in evaluation of patients with peripheral artery disease for differentiating patients with normal from those with impaired lower limbs circulation.

To evaluate the significance of collateral circulation on peri-infarct zone, stress myocardial scintigraphy and contrast left ventriculography (LVG) were performed in 38 patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI). All patients had at least one completely occluded coronary artery corresponding to the infarct area. In patients with good collaterals, stress induced transient enlargement of the perfusion defect, however, in those with poor or no collaterals the enlargement did not occur (p less than 0.05). Wall motion abnormality on LVG was significantly milder in the former patients than in the latter (p less than 0.001). Transient enlargement of the perfusion defect after stress and milder left ventricular asynergy were more frequently observed in patients with anterior MI and good collaterals. These observations indicate that good collaterals may keep some myocardium in the peri-infarct zone viable

131 I-Adosterol (6β-iodomethyl-19-norcholest-5(10)-3β-ol) was administered to evaluate adrenal grand in 20 patients including 9 patients with primary aldosteronism, 5 with Cushing's syndrome, one with pheochromocytoma, one with retroperitoneal tumor, 3 with essential hypertension and one with obesity. Standard scintigraphies were performed at 3rd day and again 6th day after administration of 131 I-adosterol (1-1.5 mCi). Suppression scintigraphies were obtained while the patients were taking dexamethasone 2 to 3 mg daily from 3 days prior to injection of the tracer until adrenal imaging. In the cases with essential hypertension and obesity, both adrenal glands were delineated equally by standard scintigraphy, and in one patient, undergone suppression scintigraphy, the uptake of 131 I-adosterol by both glands were completely inhibited by dexamethasone administration. In primary aldosteronism, six of the 9 patients demonstrated the increased radioactivity in one side, and were diagnosed as aldosteronoma. In 3 cases, failed to show the lesions on standard scintigraphy, the lesions could be detected by suppression scintigraphy, and aldosteronomas measuring 1 x 1 x 0.7, 2 x 2 x 1 and 1.7 x 1.5 x 0.8 cm were confirmed by operation. In Cushing's syndrome, standard scintigraphy could easily distinguish between adenoma (one case) and bilateral hyperplasia (4 cases). Adrenal scintigraphy was also a useful method in order to assess the effect of pituitary irradiation therapy in the case of hyperplasia. In pheochromocytoma and retroperitoneal tumor, the side of the lesion was identified by the absence of a functioning gland. Suppression scintigraphy was particularly useful in detecting the localization of the small tumor in primary aldosteronism. (auth.)

The version 3 of the procedure guideline for thyroid scintigraphy is an update of the procedure guideline previously published in 2003. The interpretation of the scintigraphy requires the knowledge of the patients' history, the palpation of the neck, the laboratory parameters and of the sonography. The interpretation of the technetium-99m uptake requires the knowledge of the TSH-level. As a consequence of the improved alimentary iodine supply the 99m Tc-uptake has decreased; 100 000 counts per scintigraphy should be acquired. For this, an imaging time of 10 minutes is generally needed using a high resolution collimator for thyroid imaging. (orig.)

Fifty consecutive patients with different esophageal symtoms were investigated with esophageal endoscopy, transit scintigraphy, and gastroesophageal (GE) scintigraphy with extra-abdominal compression. Scintigraphic findings were abnormal in 27 of those 31 patients (87%) who were classified as abnormal at endoscopy. A prolonged transit time was the commonest finding, but hiatal hernia and GE reflux were also found. However, the scintigraphic procedure showed abnormalities in 6 of 19 (31%) patients who were classified as normal at endoscopy. Esophageal scintigraphy is recommended as a screening test before endoscopy is decided on. 20 refs.

Dynamic renal scintigraphy allows the diagnosis of complications in patients submitted to organ transplantation, such as perfusion abnormalities, acute tubular necrosis and rejection. In this study we employed {sup 99m} Tc-DTPA scintigraphy to study patients submitted to kidney transplantation. The results obtained and the clinical findings were conjunctively analyzed in order to detect graft rejection or other complications. The type of immunosuppressive scheme used was also correlated with the observed complications. Fifty-five patients submitted to kidney transplantation from 1989 to 1999 were evaluated. All patients with nephrotoxicity received a 3-drug immunosuppressive scheme. In this study, acute rejection was the most frequent complication (40.4%) observed following transplantation. Thirteen of 15 recipients of cadaveric kidney grafts presented acute tubular necrosis. Only one false-positive case was observed when scintigraphy and clinical findings were not concordant. We suggest carrying out renal scintigraphy to follow-up post-transplantation patients. (author)

Scintigraphic imaging of dementia relies today essentially on the study of brain single photo emission computed tomography (SPECT) perfusion, after intravenous injection of 99m Tc radiopharmaceutical. This paper is based on the guidelines published in October 2001 by the European Association of Nuclear medicine (http:// eanm.org). Dementia with Lewy bodies is the second cause of degenerative dementia. Differential diagnosis may be difficult, in spite of the emergence of standardized diagnostic criteria. Tomo-scintigraphy using iodine 123-labelled FP-CIT (DaTSCAN) could play a role in this process. Cerebral perfusion SPECT imaging is an important step of demented patient evaluation. We compared the diagnostic performance of both of these procedures in the diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies. We studied 15 patients; ten DaTSCAN and 14 cerebral perfusion studies were performed. Clinical diagnosis at the end of follow-up was established as the diagnostic reference. Cerebral perfusion SPECT showed a very low sensitivity (20%) and a good specificity (89%); considering a prevalence of dementia with Lewy bodies of 20%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 31% and negative predictive value (NPV) 82%. Performances of DaTSCAN tomo-scintigraphy were more encouraging, (sensitivity and specificity of 100%); predictive values are both of 100%. As a conclusion, DaTSCAN tomo-scintigraphy performs better than cerebral perfusion SPECT in the diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies and no conjoint or sequential use of those tests can be recommended. (authors)

Patients having lobar airway obstruction or consolidation usually have decreases of both ventilation and perfusion on lung scans. We report three patients in whom hypoxic vasoconstriction was apparently incomplete, resulting in a ''reversed'' ventilation-perfusion mismatch. Perfusion of the hypoxic lobe on the radionuclide scan was associated with metabolic alkalosis, pulmonary venous and pulmonary arterial hypertension in these patients

Aim of the study: To assess the feasibility of early stress and rest myocardial perfusion and function study using a fast {sup 99m}Tc-tetrofosmin gated-SPECT protocol in patients with known coronary artery disease. Materials and methods: Forty-three patients (pts) (37 M, 6 F, mean age 63.8 +- 9.8 years) underwent a {sup 99m}Tc-Tetrofosmin gated-SPECT (Axis Picker-Philips) myocardial study and a coronary angiography (C.A.) within 3 months. Images were acquired (LEHR, eight bins, 40 sec per image) after injection of {sup 99m}Tc-tetrofosmin (200 to 380 MBq) early (15 min) post-stress (36 dipyridamole, two dobutamine and five ergo-metric stress), and at rest after {sup 99m}Tc-tetrofosmin reinjection (600 to 1150 MBq), in a total time not exceeding 2 hours. Processing was performed with Q.G.S. software using the 17-segment model. Pathological study was defined as a summed difference score (SDS) greater than or equal to 4 4, a fixed defect with summed rest score greater than or equal to 4 and/or L.V. dysfunction defined as myocardial stunning (variation between stress and rest L.V.E.F. greater than or equal to 4 5%), stress L.V.E.F. less than or equal to 45% or rest L.V.E.F. less than or equal to 40%. Results were compared with C.A., and stenosis greater than or equal to 4 50% was considered as significant. Results: For 100% the quality of SPECT imaging was good or excellent. For six patients gating was impossible because of arrhythmia. The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 95%, 50%, and 91%, respectively. The concordance between gated SPECT and C.A. was moderate (kappa = 0.45, S.E. = 0.15). Interestingly, early-gated acquisition permitted to underline left ventricular dysfunction in 11 cases (30%), of whom eight had poly vascular disease. Stunning was detected in six of 37 cases (16%), of whom six had poly vascular disease. Conclusion: A one-day two-hour {sup 99m}Tc-tetrofosmin gated-SPECT protocol to assess left ventricular perfusion and function is

The relationship between exercise thallium-201 scintigraphic findings and clinical features (chest pain, risk factors, resting electrocardiography, exercise electrocardiography and prognosis) was studied in the 234 patients with profound ST-segment depression (J 80 ≥ -2 mm) or negative U wave in exercise electrocardiography. We classified these cases into two groups by exercise thallium perfusion; (I) normal thallium-201 perfusion (n = 24), (II) abnormal thallium-201 perfusion (n = 210). The incidence of female in group I was larger than that in group II. In resting electrocardiography, left ventricular hypertrophy was found more frequent in group I. In exercise electrocardiography, most of ST-segment depression in group I revealed up-slope type and a rapid recovery to baseline. Group I had lower incidence of cardiac events (cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting). In conclusion, normal thallium-201 perfusion in exercise thallium-201 scintigraphy was more useful indicator for prognosis, even if the patients had the findings of profound ST-segment depression or negative U wave in exercise electrocardiography. (author)

To clarify the coronary hemodynamics and myocardial perfusion in patients with vasospastic angina, we performed exercise 201 Tl-myocardial scintigraphy (planar and SPECT) in 72 patients and left coronary digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 37 patients without significant organic coronary artery stenosis. Coronary artery spasm was documented by coronary angiography in all patients. Fifty-four patients (75%) developed exercise-induced 201 Tl-myocardial perfusion defect on SPECT. 201 Tl pulmonary uptake (L/H) was significantly increased in patients with vasospastic angina. Especially, L/H was higher in patients with multiple small perfusion defect on 201 Tl-SPECT, so that exercise-induced left ventricular dysfunction existed in patients with vasospastic angina and especially in cases of multiple small perfusion defect on 201 Tl-SPECT. The left coronary circulation time (CCT) was prolonged in patients with vasospastic angina. The mechanism of prolonged CCT is still unknown, but we suspected that prolonged CCT was induced by increased peripheral coronary vascular resistance in patients with vasospastic angina. It was concluded that the peripheral coronary circulation was disturbed in patients with vasospastic angina, but its abnormal coronary circulation had no relation to location of spasm-induced vessels. We concluded that impaired coronary microcirculation was taken a part of pathophysiology in vasospastic angina. (author)

The complex topic of diagnostics of the numerous skeleton diseases was enriched by nuclear medicine, for it is now possible to complete the static picture of morphologic changes resulting from radiologic examinations by its functional component, shown in scintigraphy. This shows that maximal information can only be obtained if the results of skeleton scintigraphy are, according to their importance, integrated into the total picture of the diagnostical decision procedure the centre of which is taken by radiology as was always the case. Because of the different results they lead to, none of the methods can be replaced by another, but they can only complete one another. For the reasons mentioned, the isolated use of skeleton scintigraphy, as it is usual in many places, does not seem not purposeful. Using 8 cases, the author tried to show the problems of skeleton scintigraphy and its position in the diagnostical decision procedure in osteology. (orig.) [de

These ''Empfehlungen'' are the german translation of the Guidelines on MIBG-Scintigraphy in Children, which were published by the Paediatric Committee of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine. (orig.) [de

Heading AbstractBackground. It has been reported that MRI using a dynamic gadolinium-enhanced subtraction technique can allow the early identification of ischaemia and the pattern of revascularisation in Legg-Calve-Perthes (LCP) disease with increased spatial and contrast resolution. Therefore, dynamic gadolinium-enhanced subtraction (DGS) MRI may be a possible non-ionising substitute for bone scintigraphy.Objective. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare DGS MRI and bone scintigraphy in the assessment of femoral head perfusion in LCP disease.Materials and methods. Twenty-six DGS MR images and bone scintigraphies of 25 hips in 23 children were obtained at different stages of LCP disease; three stage I, 12 stage II, six stage III and five stage IV (Waldenstroem classification). The extent of necrosis, epiphyseal revascularisation pathways (lateral pillar, medial pillar, and/or transphyseal perfusion) and metaphyseal changes were analysed.Results. Total agreement between both techniques was noted in the depiction of epiphyseal necrosis (kappa=1), and metaphyseal abnormalities (kappa=0.9). DGS MRI demonstrated better revascularisation in the lateral (kappa=0.62) and medial pillars (kappa=0.52). The presence of basal transphyseal reperfusion was more conspicuous with MRI.Conclusions. DGS MRI allows early detection of epiphyseal ischaemia and accurate analysis of the different revascularisation patterns. These changes are directly related to the prognosis of LCP disease and can aid therapeutic decision making. (orig.)

Thirty-two patients with avascular necrosis of os lunatum (Kienbock's disease) were examined in three groups according to stage of the disease as follows: first - I stage of disease (10 cases); second - II stage (13) and third - III and IV stages (9). All patients underwent three-phase bone scintigraphy after i v injecting of 20 mCi 99m Tc-MDP. Blood pool index and skeletal index were duly calculated (normal value 1.15). Three-phase bone scintigraphy was within normal limits at 3 patients from the first group. Decreased values of perfusion and bone metabolism were obtained at 2 and 3 patients from the second and third group, respectively. Decreased perfusion and increased bone metabolism (skeletal index < 1.20) were found at 4 patients (group one), 6 (group two) and 3 (group three). Increased blood flow and enhanced uptake of tracer in the late phase were observed at one patient (group one), at 4 group two) and at 6 (group three). False negative results were documented in three cases (group one), and false positive - at one patient each from group two and three. The results show a high sensitivity (91%) of the method in Kienbock's disease and proves that three-phase bone scintigraphy may be used for staging avascular necrosis of the lunate bone. (author)

Cigarette smoking is not only one of the most important risk factors for coronary artery disease, but also anginal attacks often occur during smoking. Coronary vasoconstriction is considered to be one of the mechanisms which cause anginal episodes. Thirty patients with angina pectoris, 27 men and 3 women, were investigated. Group I comprised 22 patients with rest angina and group II consisted of 8 patients with effort angina. Five minutes after smoking one cigarette, a first study of 20l Tl myocardial SPECT was performed. Consequently, after sublingual administration of isosorbide denitrate, a second SPECT was done. Most cases improved and it was recognized as positive when changes of localized perfusion defects were observed between both SPECTs. In the group I, 19 out of 22 patients (86%) were positive, but in the group II, 2 out of 8 (25%) were positive. The differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). By the examination of coronarty angiography in 20 patients, the result of myocardial scintigraphy using cigarette smoking and isosorbide dinitrate seemed inversely proportional to the severity of narrowing of the coronary artery. In addition, background factors including risk factors were also compared for both groups. Because the result of this myocardial scintigraphy was positive in the rest angina group and in the group with minimal coronary arteriogrpahic abnormalities, it seggests that myocardial scintigraphy using cigarette smoking and isosorbide dinitrate is useful as a non-invasive auxiliary diagnostic method to detect coronary spasm or coronary vasoconstriction-prone angina pectoris including silent myocardial ischemia. (author)

The detection of viable myocardium after myocardial infarction is an important indication for revascularization. We compared exercise-induced ST segment elevation with reversibility at Thallium-201 SPECT scintigraphy and regional wall motion assessment by ventriculography. Thirty two patients with previous myocardial infarction and with left ventricular ejection fraction of < 50% were studied. Patients underwent coronary angiography and Thallium-201 SPECT scintigraphy with re-injection protocol before and after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Group I comprised 11 patients with ST segment elevation during treadmill stress testing. Group II comprised 21 patients without ST segment elevation. Minimal or moderate hypokinesis was present in 2 patients of Group I and in 4 patients of Group II. Nine patients of Group I and 17 patients of Group II had severe hypokinetic, akinetic or dyskinetic myocardium. Scintigraphy revealed reversibility in the myocardial infarction area in 4 patients from Group I (36.4%) and 11 (52.4%) patients from Group II. Improvement in perfusion after coronary artery bypass grafting was observed in 4 patients from Group I and 8 patients from Group II. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of ST segment elevation were 33.3, 70.6, 55.2, 44.5 and 60% respectively. It was concluded that exercise-induced ST segment elevation after myocardial infarction is present more frequently in cases of severe regional myocardial dysfunction. (author)

Objective: To investigate the difference between the early phases and delay phase of three-phase bone scintigraphy on hemiplegic patients with earlier complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Methods: Twenty-nine stroke patients with hemiplegia complicating CRPS received three-phase bone scintigraphy after intravenous injection of 99 Tc m -methylene diphosphonate (MDP). The region of interest (ROI) technique was used to obtain the radioactive counts of involved joints and contralateral sites on wrists, metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joints. The total counts of these four sites in each patient were then obtained and the total uptake ratios of involved joints/contralateral joints for each phase were calculated to compare the difference among the three phases. Wilcoxon test and ANOVA were used in data analyses. Results: The involved joints of hemiplegic side displayed higher tracer uptake. There were significant differences of the radioactive counts between involved joints and uninvolved ones in the perfusion, pool and delay phase (Wilcoxon test, Z: -4.73 to -2.10, P<0.05). There was no significant difference of total uptake ratios of involved joints/contralateral joints among the three phases (ANOVA, F = 0. 807, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Due to higher bone seeking agent accumulation on three-phase bone scintigraphy, both early phases and delay phase imaging showed similar value in stroke patients with hemiplegia complicating earlier CRPS. (authors)

Organ and region-selective intra-arterial chemotherapy have been used for more than two decades to treat malignant neoplasms in the extremities, head and neck region, pelvis, liver, and other areas. Substantial evidence of improved response to regional chemotherapy now exists, but there are stringent requirements for successful application of the regional technique. First, the chemotherapeutic agent employed must have appropriate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Second, the drug must be reliably delivered to the tumor-bearing area. This typically requires an arteriographic assessment of the vascular supply of the tumor, followed by placement of a therapeutic catheter and confirmation that the ''watershed'' perfusion distribution from the catheter truly encompasses the tumor. Optimal catheter placement also minimizes perfusion of nontarget organs. Radionuclide perfusion imaging with technetium 99m-labeled particles, either microspheres or macroaggregates of albumin, has become the method of choice for making these assessments. Catheter placement itself is considered by many to represent a type of ''therapeutic'' intervention. However, once the catheter is in the hepatic artery the radionuclide perfusion technique can be used to assess adjunctive pharmacologic maneuvers designed to further exploit the regional approach to chemotherapy. This chapter presents the technetium Tc 99m macroaggregated albumin method for assessing catheter placement and the pharmacokinetic rationale for regional chemotherapy, and discusses two promising avenues for further intervention

For more than 50 years, the technique of extremity perfusion has been explored in the limb salvage treatment of local, recurrent, and multifocal sarcomas. The "discovery" of tumor necrosis factor-or. in combination with melphalan was a real breakthrough in the treatment of primarily irresectable

Growing concern over the rising incidence of malignant melanoma has brought about a need for information on this disorder and the treatment available. Isolated limb perfusion is a relatively new technique used in only a few hospitals. An increased knowledge base will lead to a better understanding of the nursing care required and to a more in-depth care plan.

Thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy (TMS) is the most important, accurate and noninvasive diagnostic tool for the detection of regional myocardial perfusion. This agent is a potassium analog and the biologic half life in normal myocardium is 4 hours. Therefore, serial imaging after a single dose of Tl-201 at the peak of the exercise makes differential diagnosis possible between stress induced ischemia (transient perfusion defect with redistribution) and myocardial fibrosis or scar (permanent defect). The reproducibility is around 90%. The overall sensitivity in 4,094 patients reviewed from the literature was 83% with a specificity of 87%. The accuracy of TMS for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease was 85%. Sensitivity increases in the order of visual (83%), computer analysis of standard scintigraphy (91%), and computer analysis of pinhole tomography (96%), but there is no significant difference in specificity among them. Also, sensitivity increases in the order of single (73%), double (83%) and triple (90%) vessel d isease. However, TMS does not indicate the correct number of vessels involved. In this paper, we discuss the current status of use and limitations of TMS in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease. (author)

Pancreatic scintigraphy was performed on 67 diabetic patients (42 males and 25 females) in order to study exocrine pancreatic functions in primary diabetes. Relationships between visualization and the onset age, sex, morbid period, presence or absence of retinitis, good or poor control of blood glucose control and the therapeutic modality of diabetes were examined. Abnormality was detected in 34 cases (50.7%), being frequent among male patients in their 50s. The more serious the diabetes, i.e., with a longer morbid period, poorer blood glucose control and worse retinitis, the higher was the frequency of abnormality in pancreatic visualization. The frequency of abnormality was high in association with insulin treatment, oral tablets and single dietary treatment in that order. The more severe the hypoinsulinism, the higher was the frequency of abnormality. This technique can be used as a screening means for exocrine pancreatic function tests on diabetics. (Chiba, N.)

Static images as isolated investigation in thyroid diagnosis mainly provides morphologic information, and therefore sonography is largely applied for this purpose. 99m Tc-pertechnetate scans or 123 I-scans are indicated in cases of malpositions and serve to clarify lesions of unknown dignity. Additionally 201 Tl-chloride is suited for examinations with regard to metabolically active thyroid tissue, whereby differential diagnostic laboratory tests must be carried out to exclude parathyroid adenoma. Dynamic thyroid scans before and after regulation tests (suppression, stimulation) reflect the physiological correlation between the iodine avidity of the thyroid, the peripheral thyroid hormone concentrations and the hypophyseal regulation in the TRH-test. The main application of this procedure is the clarification of thyroid autonomy, i.e. indication, detection, quantification or exclusion of thyroid autonomy. For the treatment of immunogenic thyrotoxicosis, dynamic thyroid scintigraphy provides important information about the onset of remission, thus permitting to end thyreostatic therapy. (orig.) [de

The aim of the study was to estimate the clinical relevance and accuracy of dynamic renal scintigraphy (DRS) in case of obstructed kidneys as hydronephrosis is among the complications at different renal diseases, like nephrolithiasis and urolithiasis. Twenty-one patients mainly with unilateral hydronephrosis were studied. DRS with 99m Tc-MAG3 or 99m Tc-EC was done and quantitative parameters of the morphological and functional status of every kidney were assessed. At 24 % of the patients accumulation curves typical for obstructed by hydronephrosis kidneys were obtained. At 38 % the type of renograms of the affected kidneys was intermediate one, closer to that at the cases with nephrosclerosis, with lower uptake and severe parenchymal changes. The rest 38 % of the cases showed normal renograms or slightly delayed downslope. DRS is a very precise and sensitive method for evaluation of the degree of kidney damage in cases with hydronephrosis

In order to evaluate the incidence of esophageal motility disorders associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease we studied the esophageal transit of a sup(99m)Tc-DTPA bolus and the ge-reflux by means of functional scintigraphy. Using the telemetric 24 hours pH-monitoring as reference method in 19 patients, the accuracy of the radioisotope reflux test was found to be 89%. Among 47 patients with histologically proven esophagitis 32 (68%) showed a positive reflux scintiscan result. 17 of them had an impairment of the esophageal clearance which was present in 10 additional cases with a normal reflux study. In 5 patients the results of both tests were within the normal range. A positive reflux scintiscan with or without motility disorder makes a pathological reflux highly probable. Impairment of the esophageal transit combined with a negative reflux test may be due to esophagitis, but also to other functional disorders such as e.g. scleroderma. (orig.) [de

In order to evaluate the incidence of esophageal motility disorders associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease we studied the esophageal transit of a sup(99m)Tc-DTPA bolus and the ge-reflux by means of functional scintigraphy. Using the telemetric 24 hours pH-monitoring as reference method in 19 patients, the accuracy of the radioisotope reflux test was found to be 89%. Among 47 patients with histologically proven esophagitis 32 (68%) showed a positive reflux scintiscan result. 17 of them had an impairment of the esophageal clearance which was present in 10 additional cases with a normal reflux study. In 5 patients the results of both tests were within the normal range. A positive reflux scintiscan with or without motility disorder makes a pathological reflux highly probable. Impairment of the esophageal transit combined with a negative reflux test may be due to esophagitis, but also to other functional disorders such as e.g. scleroderma.

For diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of benign thyroidal disorders thyroidal scintigraphy has to be seen in full strength in relation to thyroid hormone metabolism and regulation. Thyroidal iodine avidity can easily be assessed by TcTU ( 99m Tc-thyroid-up-take 20 min p.inj.), as the well known standard measure for the service of goiter patients. TcTU and TSH show concordance, i.e. direct correlation, when thyroid regulation is intact, however there is no correlation, i.e. discordance, in disorders such as destruction, autonomy oder immunogenic stimulation. The strategy to evaluate concordance/discordance of TcTU and TSH in outpatient routine work (''one stop shop'') is demonstrated in a variety of clinical situations being not always conform to current guide lines and recommendations. (orig.)

To assess the probability of perfusion defects at exercise stress myocardial perfusion SPECT scintigraphy from pretest clinical diagnosis (medical personal history, previous ergometric investigation). To determine the value of clinical factors for probability of scintigraphic defects with respect to avoiding unnecessary investigation in subjects with low probability of abnormal scintigrams. 2143 subjects (1235 men, 908 women) were investigated by SPECT perfusionscintigraphy at stepwise increasing exercise stress. They were divided into three groups with regard to their medical history and exercise test at scintigraphy: subjects without any signs of coronary artery disease (CAD), patients with high likelihood of CAD (i.e., typical anginal pain, in particular at stress, positive stress ECG changes, angiographically documented important CAD) and patients after myocardial infarction (MI). Important risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, age and sex), as well as the role of revascularisation procedures, were taken into account for multiple logistic regression in order to express their importance for the odds of scintigraphic defect visualisation. Perfusion scintigraphic defects (PSD) were found in 5.2% of subjects without signs of CAD, in contrast to patients with manifest CAD (68.8% with PSD) and in those after MI (90.2% with PSD). There were other important factors corroborating the likelihood of PSD (in decreasing order of importance): diabetes, male, ECG changes at stress, increasing age. Successful revascularisation improved scintigraphic images. The examination of CAD symptom-free subjects, in particular with atypical chest discomfort, is useless. SMPS in patients after documented MI is to be carried out for other intended purposes, not for CAD diagnosis only. SMPS is highly recommended in patients with CAD symptoms and high CAD probability in order to decide further treatment and prognosis. (author)

X-ray study, Computed tomography, Echography and Scintigraphy are chosen to draw visual images of malignant tumors in children. To obtain higher diagnostic sensitivity, we recommend that 67-Ga-scintigraphy and other different scitigraphy for organs are performed on each child suspected of having malignant tumor. 67-Ga does not have accurate sensitivity for neuroblastoma, but bone scintigraphy with 99m-Tc-labelled phosphate complexes detects neuroblastoma as a positive image. 67-Ga scintigraphy and other different radiopharmaceutical scintigraphy should be used for primary visualization and control of malignant tumor in children. Serial scintigraphy at proper intervals are very effective to detect local recurrence and metastasis of malignant tumors. (author)

The interpretation of scintigraphic patterns and the role of pathophysiological mechanisms in patients with primary lung cancer were investigated. To determine the relative roles of perfusion, inhalation and ventilation scintigraphy, the relationship between the count ratio of the affected side to the healthy side and the post-surgical histological lymph nodes factors were observed in this study. These scintigraphic count ratio's in patients with primary lung cancer did not reflect the pN factors except in the perfusion study in patients with hilar primary lung cancer. (author)

Pediatric myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is not a routine investigation in an Indian setting due to under referrals and logistic problems. However, MPI is a frequently performed and established modality of investigation in adults for the identification of myocardial ischemia and viability. We report myocardial perfusionscintigraphy in a case of retropulmonary looping of left coronary artery in a baby after arterial switch surgery. Adenosine stress MPI revealed a large infarct involving anterior segment with moderate reversible ischemia of the lateral left ventricular segment. Coronary angiogram later confirmed left main coronary artery ostial occlusion with retrograde collateral supply from dilated right coronary artery

Thirty-nine patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were investigated with sequential SPECT-scintigraphy after administration of 200 MBq of 15-(p-[I-123]iodophenyl)pentadecanoic acid (IPPA) at peak submaximal exercise. Twenty patients underwent coronary angioplasty (PTCA) from which 14 had control coronary arteriography (CA) and left ventricular cineventriculography (LVCV). Nineteen patients underwent bypass graft surgery (ACB) and stress sonography. Semi-quantification of uptake (Up, related to perfusion) and turnover (Tr, linked to metabolism) was obtained by segmental comparison of oblique slices. About 90% of the reperfused myocardial segments in the PTCA-group and 76% in the ACB-group showed an improvement of uptake after therapy (RUp). Out of these, 50% and 66% exhibited increased turnover (RTr) after PTCA or ACB, respectively. The remaining segments had persistingly pathologic RTr indicating a dissociation of improvement of perfusion and metabolism after therapy. Pathologic RTr was highly correlated with regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) after therapy in both groups. In the ACB-group improvement in RTr was correlated with improved RWM at rest and stress in 86% and 92%, respectively, whereas no improvement in RTr was correlated with impared function in 100% and 52%, respectively. IPPA-studies show potential to provide information about changes of perfusion and metabolism after reperfusion and IPPA-turnover is a good predictor of the pattern of contractile function. (author)

Full text: Introduction Tc-99m MIBI (methoxy isobutyl isonitrile) scintigraphy of the heart provides information on myocardial perfusion. Stress and rest myocardial perfusion imaging is performed on patients with suspected ischaemic heart disease. Tc-99m MIBI is concentrated by the liver and excreted into the gastro intestinal tract. Interfering hepatic and intestinal activity complicates the interpretation of myocardial perfusion in the inferior wall. The intake of a fatty meal after administration of the radiopharmaceutical decreases hepatic activity but often increases intestinal activity. A simple, cheap method to decrease hepatic and intestinal activity will help to optimise the diagnostic evaluation of abnormalities in the inferior wall of the heart. Aim: The purpose of the study Is to investigate the volume effect of a full stomach induced by 400ml of water on the appearance of intestinal artifacts on stress-rest Tc-99m MIBI myocardial perfusion imaging in order to assist in the evaluation of the Inferior wall of the left ventricle. Methods: Initially a retrospective study was performed on 40 patients referred for myocardial perfusionscintigraphy. Two groups of patients were studied; in one group (group A) patients did not receive water and in the second group (group B) each patient drank 400ml of water directly before imaging. Based on the results of the retrospective study, a prospective study has been initiated. Each patient will be imaged twice after stress or during rest. During part 1 patients will abstain from water and food before imaging. In part 2, imaging will be repeated after the ingestion of 2 glasses (400mi) water and 2 slices of buttered bread. In each patient myocardial perfusion of the inferior wall will be compared with and without water and a light meal. Results: Results from the retrospective study comparing 2 groups of patients show that there is better visibility of Inferior wall perfusion of patients in group B, implying that more

The purpose of this study was to assess the value of the ventilation study in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism using a new automated method. Either perfusion scintigrams alone or two different combinations of ventilation/perfusion scintigrams were used as the only source of information regarding pulmonary embolism. A completely automated method based on computerised image processing and artificial neural networks was used for the interpretation. Three artificial neural networks were trained for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Each network was trained with 18 automatically obtained features. Three different sets of features originating from three sets of scintigrams were used. One network was trained using features obtained from each set of perfusion scintigrams, including six projections. The second network was trained using features from each set of (joint) ventilation and perfusion studies in six projections. A third network was trained using features from the perfusion study in six projections combined with a single ventilation image from the posterior view. A total of 1,087 scintigrams from patients with suspected pulmonary embolism were used for network training. The test group consisted of 102 patients who had undergone both scintigraphy and pulmonary angiography. Performances in the test group were measured as area under the receiver operation characteristic curve. The performance of the neural network in interpreting perfusion scintigrams alone was 0.79 (95% confidence limits 0.71-0.86). When one ventilation image (posterior view) was added to the perfusion study, the performance was 0.84 (0.77-0.90). This increase was statistically significant (P=0.022). The performance increased to 0.87 (0.81-0.93) when all perfusion and ventilation images were used, and the increase in performance from 0.79 to 0.87 was also statistically significant (P=0.016). The automated method presented here for the interpretation of lung scintigrams shows a significant

Nineteen symptomatic patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) were examined by thallium-201 (TI-201) exercise scintigraphy and selective coronary arteriography. All elicited significant anteroseptal perfusion defects in the exercise scintigrams, but in only 4 was coronary artery disease (CAD) involving the left anterior descending coronary artery present. To further elucidate the effect of LBBB on septal TI-201 uptake in the absence of CAD, TI-201 scintigrams combined with regional myocardial blood flow measurements using radioactive microspheres were carried out in 7 dogs during right atrial and right ventricular pacing (LBBB in the ECG) at similar heart rates. During right atrial pacing, TI-201 uptake was homogeneous in the entire left ventricle, as were tissue flows. During right ventricular pacing, TI-201 activity was reduced to 69% of maximal TI-201 activity within the septum, whereas it averaged 90% in the lateral wall (p less than 0.05) in 6 dogs. Correspondingly, regional myocardial blood flow was lower within the septum as compared with that in the lateral wall, averaging 89 and 120 ml/min/100 g, respectively (p less than 0.005). In 1 dog, normal TI-201 distribution and tissue flows were found in both studies. Thus, symptomatic patients with LBBB may elicit abnormal TI-201 exercise scintigrams, suggesting anteroseptal ischemia despite normal coronary arteries. The electrical induction of LBBB in dogs results, in most instances, in a comparable reduction in septal TI-201 uptake associated with diminished septal blood flow. Therefore, exercise-induced septal perfusion defects in the presence of LBBB do not necessarily indicate CAD even in symptomatic patients, but may reflect functional ischemia due to asynchronous septal contraction.

In the present study, we performed early blood pool scintigraphy with technetium-99m pertechnetate in 20 patients (10-180 days after frostbite injury; 71 clinical lesions) referred for a topical treatment protocol for mild to moderately severe frostbite, and in 22 asymptomatic controls. The aims of the study were to define the ''normal'' microcirculation of the hands and feet, to characterise the appearances of frostbite lesions on scintigraphy and correlate these with the clinical presentation, and to evaluate the usefulness of scintigraphy for assessing the treatment response. Six patients were ''fresh'', 12 had been undergoing conservative treatment (topical homeopathic) for several weeks and two had permanent fibrotic hand phalanges. Nine patients on treatment underwent serial scintigraphy a total of 22 times. Eleven patients were imaged only once, including the two with permanent fixed defects. Three distinct physiological microcirculation patterns were evident in control hands or feet: right- or left-handedness (seven subjects), subclinical inflammatory foci correlating with callosity or pressure points (36 lesions) and distinctly increased pooling of radiotracer at the thenar or hypothenar region (eight subjects). In frostbite patients, 128 lesions (48 inflammatory, 80 ischaemic) were seen on the scan. This number included all 71 lesions identified clinically, the rest being subclinical. Subclinical frostbite lesion as an entity has not been described previously. Microvasculature of normal muscle groups (in the hands, elbow or feet) was shown on scintigraphy to improve after topical treatment. The treatment resulted in improved or normalised perfusion scan in 25 of 45 ischaemic segments with matching clinical improvement, and reduction or normalisation of uptake in inflammatory lesions (n=30). The data confirm the vasodilator and anti-inflammatory action of the topical preparation, and the sensitivity of the

In the present study, we performed early blood pool scintigraphy with technetium-99m pertechnetate in 20 patients (10-180 days after frostbite injury; 71 clinical lesions) referred for a topical treatment protocol for mild to moderately severe frostbite, and in 22 asymptomatic controls. The aims of the study were to define the ''normal'' microcirculation of the hands and feet, to characterise the appearances of frostbite lesions on scintigraphy and correlate these with the clinical presentation, and to evaluate the usefulness of scintigraphy for assessing the treatment response. Six patients were ''fresh'', 12 had been undergoing conservative treatment (topical homeopathic) for several weeks and two had permanent fibrotic hand phalanges. Nine patients on treatment underwent serial scintigraphy a total of 22 times. Eleven patients were imaged only once, including the two with permanent fixed defects. Three distinct physiological microcirculation patterns were evident in control hands or feet: right- or left-handedness (seven subjects), subclinical inflammatory foci correlating with callosity or pressure points (36 lesions) and distinctly increased pooling of radiotracer at the thenar or hypothenar region (eight subjects). In frostbite patients, 128 lesions (48 inflammatory, 80 ischaemic) were seen on the scan. This number included all 71 lesions identified clinically, the rest being subclinical. Subclinical frostbite lesion as an entity has not been described previously. Microvasculature of normal muscle groups (in the hands, elbow or feet) was shown on scintigraphy to improve after topical treatment. The treatment resulted in improved or normalised perfusion scan in 25 of 45 ischaemic segments with matching clinical improvement, and reduction or normalisation of uptake in inflammatory lesions (n=30). The data confirm the vasodilator and anti-inflammatory action of the topical preparation, and the sensitivity of the radionuclide method in monitoring treatment

50 male patients with stenosing coronary artery sclerosis and an indication for coronary artery bypass surgery were subjected to pre- and postsurgical 201 Tl scintigraphy and postsurgical computed tomography. Control by angiography was carried out in six cases. Scintigraphy revealed an improved myocardial perfusion in 30 patients, whereas it was unchanged in 15 and deteriorated in 5 patients. Angiography exhibited two cases of graft occlusion, one case of bad run off, and two cases of progressing arteriosclerosis under intact graft. Computed tomography showed that 83 bypasses of the 50 patients were occluded in 6 cases, which was confirmed by angiography in 3 cases. The investigation demonstrates the high value of the two non-invasive methods for the control of bypass patency. (author)

The clinical value and limitation of exercise electrocardiography and exercise thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy were studied in 40 patients with no previous history of myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography was performed on all the patients. Compared with thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy, treadmill exercise electrocardiography showed greater sensitivity (84% versus 63%) in diagnosing coronary stenosis of more than 50%. In patients with single vessel discase, the results of sensitivities were similar (75% to 65%). However, the specificity of thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy was higher than that of exercise electrocardiography (100% compared to 63%). Nine patients with evidence of significant lesions using coronary angiography, showed normal conditions using exercise electrocardiography and thallium myocardial scintigraphy examinations as well. All these patients had a history of chest pain, and 4 of them experienced chest pain during exercise. In cases with false negative exercise tests, the clinical symptoms and exercise-induced chest pain seem to be important diagnostic signs when evaluating patients with coronary artery disease. In 15 patients with isolated single vessel coronary artery disease (more than 75% stenosis of luminal diameter in only one vessel), the site of ST segment depression did not coincide with the stenotic lesion. The site of reversible perfusion defect on thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy did, however, coincide with the site of myocardial ishemia and the stenotic lesion in most cases. (author)

The validity and exactness of 67 Ga scintigraphy was tested in more than 70 patients by a comparison with clinical, radiological and histological findings as well as with scintigraphs obtained with other nuclides. It was found that 67 Ga scintigraphy is a good and often even a vital supplementation to the other methods. Its main field of application, according to the authors' obervations, is the differential diagnosis of three-dimensional changes in the thorax region, in particular the diagnosis of malignant tumours of the lungs in combination with X-ray examinations. Furthermore, 67 Ga may be of use in localization diagnoses of non-malignant changes, e.g. abscesses. 67 Ga scintigraphy, which is non-hazardous and does not involve discomfort to the patients, appears to be particularly useful for course control after surgical treatment of breast cancer and for early diagnoses of metastases, provided that examination starts early enough and is repeated at regular intervals, not only in the soft parts but also in the skeleton. The question whether 67 Ga scintigraphy may be a substitute for scintigraphy with other nuclides in these fields still remains to be solved. (orig.) [de

Gastric emptying scintigraphy was introduced more than 25 years ago by Grittith and still remains the gold standard to assess gastric emptying. Test meals, radiopharmaceuticals and acquisition procedures have been refined and optimized over the years and the test procedure is now pretty well standardized. However, in its most common use, gastric emptying scintigraphy provides little information on gastric physiology. Over the last decade, modelling of the liquid and solid emptying curves have brought some insight in the complex gastric physiology. Compartmental analysis of the stomach has also provided information on the pathophysiological mechanisms of delayed gastric emptying. Over the past 5 years, the most dramatic development in gastric emptying scintigraphy has been the introduction of Digital Antral Scintigraphy (DAS). Digital Antral scintigraphy basically consists in dynamically imaging of the stomach and the use of a refined Fourier transform processing method. This new procedure allows for the visualization of antral contractions and, alike manometry, permits quantitative characterization on the frequency and amplitude of these contractions. Overall, this new procedure provides a unique, non invasive tool to characterize gastric motility, to define the pathophysiologic mechanisms of gastric motor disorders and to evaluate the effect of new gastro-kinetic compounds. (authors). 241 refs., 5 figs

The validity and exactness of /sup 67/Ga scintigraphy was tested in more than 70 patients by a comparison with clinical, radiological and histological findings as well as with scintigraphs obtained with other nuclides. It was found that /sup 67/Ga scintigraphy is a good and often even a vital supplementation to the other methods. Its main field of application, according to the authors' obervations, is the differential diagnosis of three-dimensional changes in the thorax region, in particular the diagnosis of malignant tumours of the lungs in combination with X-ray examinations. Furthermore, /sup 67/Ga may be of use in localization diagnoses of non-malignant changes, e.g. abscesses. /sup 67/Ga scintigraphy, which is non-hazardous and does not involve discomfort to the patients, appears to be particularly useful for course control after surgical treatment of breast cancer and for early diagnoses of metastases, provided that examination starts early enough and is repeated at regular intervals, not only in the soft parts but also in the skeleton. The question whether /sup 67/Ga scintigraphy may be a substitute for scintigraphy with other nuclides in these fields still remains to be solved.

In order to obtain more diagnostic information by thyroid scintigraphy we used a gamma camera with a high resolution collimator and a computer. This led to an improvement of thyroid scintigrams and their documentation. Additionally it allowed to obtain values for global and regional uptake of pertechnetate before and under suppression. The usefulness of this method was proven by investigation of 50 individuals with normal thyroid function and 32 euthyroid patients with pathological suppressibility in an area of iodine deficiency. In normals global thyroid uptake and its suppression correlated with the FT 4 I and Δ TSH after TRH in dependence of their iodine excretion. Three types of pathological reaction under suppression could be delineated: 1. pure focal autonomy, 2. generalized (disseminated) autonomy, 3. combined focal and disseminated autonomy. The means of Δ TSH decreased stepwise from group 1 to 3 indicating increasing autonomy. The method is predominantly helpful to detect autonomy in euthyroid goitre. It is superior to qualitative evaluation of scintigrams. Additionally it is useful for decisions in therapy, especially for functionally orientated operation. (orig.) [de

Based on experience gained from more than 1600 patients with proved or suspected kidney diseases and on results on extended studies with dogs, sequential scintigraphy was performed after renal transplantation in dogs. After intravenous injection of 500 {mu}Ci. {sup 131}I-Hippuran scintiphotos were taken during the first minute with an exposure time of 15 sec each and thereafter with an exposure of 2 min up to at least 16 min.. Several examinations were evaluated digitally. 26 examinations were performed on 11 dogs with homotransplanted kidneys. Immediately after transplantation the renal function was almost normal arid the bladder was filled in due time. At the beginning of rejection the initial uptake of radioactive Hippuran was reduced. The intrarenal transport became delayed; probably the renal extraction rate decreased. Corresponding to the development of an oedema in the transplant the uptake area increased in size. In cases of thrombosis of the main artery there was no evidence of any uptake of radioactivity in the transplant. Similar results were obtained in 41 examinations on 15 persons. Patients with postoperative anuria due to acute tubular necrosis showed still some uptake of radioactivity contrary to those with thrombosis of the renal artery, where no uptake was found. In cases of rejection the most frequent signs were a reduced initial uptake and a delayed intrarenal transport of radioactive Hippuran. Infarction could be detected by a reduced uptake in distinct areas of the transplant. (author)

Performing cell culture in miniaturized perfusion chambers gives possibilities to experiment with cells under near in vivo like conditions. In contrast to traditional batch cultures, miniaturized perfusion systems provide precise control of medium composition, long term unattended cultures...... and tissue like structuring of the cultures. However, as this chapter illustrates, many issues remain to be identified regarding perfusion cell culture such as design, material choice and how to use these systems before they will be widespread amongst biomedical researchers....

The present work consists of a regional lung exploration after injection of xenon 133, dissolved in physiological serum, followed a few minutes later by that of 99m Tc-labelled serumalbumin microspheres. The aim is three fold: first of all to study perfusion and ventilation by xenon 133, next to compare the results obtained after xenon 133 and 99 m Tc-labelled microsphere injection, lastly to establish the value of the technique and its routine application. This examination has not solved all problems of lung exploration by xenon 133. For example we deliberately kept to intraveinous injection of the gas dissolved in physiological serum, leaving aside the breathing test. Xenon 133 scintigraphy in our opinion will not tend to replace 99m Tc-labelled microsphere scintigraphy, which has irreplaceable morphological qualities, but will serve as an excellent complement. The basic advantage of xenon 133 is the regional ventilation estimate it provides allowing any anomaly of the lung parenchyma to be located immediately or conversely the functional value of the healthy lung to be established with a view to a surgical removal of a diseased zone [fr

Bone scintigraphy is a very sensitive method to identify pathological processes affecting the bone. Its specificity is, however, considerably lower than its sensitivity, particularly in systemic diseases. We therefore investigated the possibilities of differential diagnosis based on typical sites or patterns of distribution. The Paget syndrome with characteristic manifestation in the pelvic region, including crutch-shaped accumulation in the proximal femur, may be diagnosed by scintigraphy alone. If these typical sites are absent, however, differential diagnosis is difficult. Differential diagnosis for multiple myeloma, fibrous dysplasia, enchondromatosis, hyperparathyroidism, osteopathies, osteomalacia, inflammatory rheumatic diseases is also required and should be based on further examinations, taking into consideration the history, clinical signs and course. In this connexion scintigraphy is relevant both for early assessment and documentation of the spread of pathological processes and for the follow-up. (orig.) [de

One thousand and thirty seven thyroid scintigraphy examinations done in the Nuclear Medicine Unit of Tikur Anbesma Hospital, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia between December 1984 and September 1989 were analyzed to assess their diagnostic value. Thirty one percent of the referrals were to investigate clinically detectable solitary nodules, and of these fifty-six percent had ''cold'' nodules and twenty-three percent ''hot'' nodules. Fifty-five percent of the referrals for evaluation of goitre were for multi nodular goitres and twelve percent for diffuse. Thirteen of fifty-three cases with suspected ectopic thyroid tissue were positive. Little useful information was obtained in the evaluation of goitre. It is concluded that thyroid scintigraphy was an unnecessary investigation in the evaluation of goitres in euthyroid patients. Its primary role was in the investigation of the solitary nodule, ectopic thyroid tissue and the retresternal goitre. Therefore, only selected patients should be investigated with thyroid scintigraphy

procedure 3 months after single lung transplantation (SLTX). A total of 41 patients were included in the study: 20 women and 21 men with the age span of patients at transplantation being 38-66 years (mean ± SD: 54.2 ± 6.0). Patient records also included lung function tests and chest X-ray images. We found......Scintigraphy has been used as a tool to detect dysfunction of the lung before and after transplantation. The aims of this study were to evaluate the development of the ventilation-perfusion relationships in single lung transplant recipients in the first year, at 3 months after transplantation...

The ability of quantitative thallium-201 scintigraphy to predict the extent and location of coronary artery disease before hospital discharge after acute myocardial infarction was evaluated in 52 patients. All patients underwent coronary angiography and serial thallium-201 imaging either at rest or after submaximal exercise stress. Two or three vessel disease was designated if abnormal thallium-201 uptake or washout patterns, or both, were seen in two or three vascular segments, respectively. Of 156 vessels analyzed in the 52 patients, 91 stenoses of 70 percent or greater were found by angiography. Seventy-four of these were predicted by scintigraphy. The specificity of scintigraphy for identifying vessel stenoses was 92 percent. Sensitivity for detecting and localizing stenoses supplying an infarct zone was 96 percent compared with 62 percent for stenoses supplying myocardium remote from the acute infarct. Perfusion abnormalities were more frequently seen in the distribution of vessels with severe stenoses than in those with moderate stenoses. Scintigraphy detected a greater proportion of left anterior descending and right coronary arterial stenoses than circumflex stenoses. In the 42 patients who underwent submaximal exercise testing, multivariate analysis of 23 clinical and laboratory variables identified multiple thallium-201 defects as the best predictor of multivessel disease. The predictive accuracy of exercise-induced S-T segment depression was only 45 percent compared with 88 percent for thallium-201 scintigraphy. Thallium-201 imaging at rest is reliable in assessing the extent of coronary disease in hospitalized patients who cannot undergo exercise testing because of unstable angina, uncompensated heart failure, poorly controlled arrhythmias or physical limitations

Aim: A proper early diagnosis of aseptic hip necrosis is very important for further therapy.Since there has always been a question of the amount of perfusion in hips at different stages of aseptic hip necrosis we tried to impartially examine the perfusion in hips at early and reversible stages of aseptic hip necrosis. Material and Methods:Study included 143 patients with aseptic hip necrosis.The 550-740 MBq of Tc-99m-DPD were on bolus injected.All patients were subjected to 3-phase scintigraphy of hips and quantitative calculation of relative perfusion in the artery phase (3T) at early and repeated at reversible stages of aseptic hip necrosis. Results: At the early stage of aseptic hip necrosis the obtained 3T was decreased from 0.94-0.69 (3T=0.80).Scintigrams showed a moderate increase or diffuse accumulation. At the reversible stages we obtained 3T decreased from 0.92-0.71 (3T=0.79) thus evidencing hypoperfusion.Scintigrams showed an diffuse increased accumulation. Conclusion: With the aseptic hip necrosis quantitative analysis of perfusion in the artery phase-3T indicates that the perfusion is decreased at all stages of the process which however shows a significantly falling trend with the progress of the disease

Although, the use of technetium scintigraphy in the assessment of anterior knee pain has been described, no reference has been made to the scintigraphic appearances of painful bipartite patella. We report the scintigraphic-appearances of painful bipartite patella in 25-year-old man a 2 1/2 years history of unexplained patellar pain. Painful bipartite patella is a rare cause of chronic post-traumatic patellar pain. Bone scintigraphy, by demonstrating increased uptake by the painful accessory bipartite fragment, appears to be an imaging method of choice in the diagnosis of this condition. (orig./MG)

In this paper we present investigations on a simplified method of quantitative whole body scintigraphy by using a dual head LFOV-gamma camera and a calibration algorithm without the need of additional attenuation or scatter correction. Validation of this approach to the anthropomorphic phantom as well as in patient studies showed a high accuracy concerning quantification of whole body activity (102.8% and 97.72%, resp.), by contrast organ activities were recovered with an error range up to 12%. The described method can be easily performed using commercially available software packages and is recommendable especially for quantitative whole body scintigraphy in a clinical setting. (orig.) [de

Diagnostic value of hepatobiliary scintigraphy using mebrofenin-Te-99m was assessed in three newborns with cytomegalovirus (CMV) hepatitis and one baby with hepatitis B jaundice. All cases were affected by persistent jaundice with predominately conjugated bilirubin, alcoholic stools, anemia. One of this newborns (case number 1) was suspected of having biliary atresia due to the absence of intestinal excretion of the tracer. After three weeks intestinal passage was seen in scintiscan late after 24 h. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy represents a non-invasive diagnostic procedure which enables the detection of permeability of the biliary tract. (Author)

We reported the usefulness of scintigraphy and ultrasonography of various thyroid diseases. The scintigraphy were useful information in the determination of functioning adenoma, location of ectopic thyroid glands and appearance of lang and bone metastasis of thyroid carcinoma. As ultrasonography were able to be observation of internal structure of thyroid gland, that maight be used to determined associated nodular lesions in diffuse goiter and differentiation between benign and malignant tumor in nodular goiter. In observation of calcifications of goiter, soft X rays apparatus were usefull tool. US, as initial diagnostic test before scintiscanning, provided useful information and minimized radiation exposure. (author)

The study of respiratory fuctions is of key importance for the clinical evaluation of patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Such study has been traditionally based on classical pulmonary function tests and arterial hemogasanalysis. However, neither procedure gives any information on the topographical distribution of abnormalities, and both might be suboptimal as far as sensitivity is concerned. The preliminary results obtained with radioaerosol lung scintigraphy in 11 patients with scoliosis are here presented. They lead to the conclusion that radioaerosol lung scintigraphy, besides being an useful adjunct to more traditional diagnostic procedures, can yield unique information on the localization of convective ventilation derangements induced by the dynamic abnormalities of the rib cage

We have studied the clinical utility of indium 111 autologous leucocyte scintigraphy retrospectively in 45 patients presenting with suspected intra-abdominal sepsis. The sensitivity was 95% (21/22) and the specificity was 91% (21/23). Some 34 of the studies (17 positive and 17 negative) were considered helpful in furthering patient management (76%) and 8, unhelpful (18%). In 3, the study results were misleading and led to inappropriate treatment. Indium 111 scintigraphy, whether positive or negative, provides information in patients with suspected intra-abdominal sepsis upon which therapeutic decisions can be based. (orig.)

These guidelines on the use of radioiodinated (99m)Tc-MIBG scintigraphy in children, which summarise the views of the Paediatric Committee of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine, provide a framework which may prove helpful to nuclear medicine teams in daily practice. They have been influenced by the conclusions of the "Consensus Guidelines for MIBG Scintigraphy" (Paris, November 6, 1997) of the European Neuroblastoma Group and by those of the Oncological Committee of the French Society of Nuclear Medicine. The guidelines should be taken in the context of "good practice" and any local/national rules which apply to nuclear medicine examinations.

A middle aged woman with a pyrexia of unknown origin was shown to have borderline lepromatous leprosy. Early gallium-67 scintigraphy demonstrated increased uptake in the subcutaneous tissues of the face and thighs. As a result of these findings skin biopsy was obtained from the right thigh which gave a diagnosis of borderline lepromatous leprosy. The authors have been unable to find other reports of gallium-67 scintigraphy in leprosy but the pattern of gallium-67 distribution should suggest the diagnosis. 5 refs., 1 fig

Important aspects of the gammagraphy of cerebral perfusion and the diverse clinical applications in the neurological diseases are comment in this article. We focus in the usefulness of the photon emission cerebral tomography (SPECT) and its capacity to cross the hemato encephalic barrier through the use of radiopharmacons like 99 mTc-H M-PAO and 99mTc-EDC, thus managing to offer functional data on the captantes neurons of the radiopharmacon. The clinical applications of SPECT are studied; cerebrovascular disease, transient ischemic attacks, dementias, Alzheimer disease, as well as other neurological diseases are referred. (The author)

Nine diabetics without significant coronary stenosis participated in an exercise testing protocol with thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy. Endomyocardial biopsy of right ventricle was also obtained. There were 4 patients with abnormal perfusion (positive group) and 5 patients with normal perfusion (negative group). All cases of the positive group were familial diabetics and there was only one case of dietary treatment, whereas in the negative group, there were only 2 cases of familial diabetics and 3 cases receiving dietary treatment. No statistical differences between the positive and negative groups were observed for the data of exercise performance and hemodynamic parameters in cardiac catheterization at rest. However, the mean ejection fraction in the positive group (62 +/- 13%) was significantly lower than in the negative group (77 +/- 4%). In both groups, the mean diameter of myocardial cells and the mean percent fibrosis of biopsy specimens showed significant increases compared with the control group. The mean percent fibrosis in the positive group (24.1 +/- 8.5%) compared with that in the negative group (16.5 +/- 5.9%) showed a tendency to increase. It is suggested that the abnormal perfusion of thallium-201 in the positive group indicates subclinically a pathological change of microcirculation caused by diabetes mellitus

The scintigraphy could be a good way to survey the osseous graft: three cases are studied in which were recognized the presence of a graft, surinfection, graft lysis, pseudo-arthrosis, algodystrophy. 8 refs., 5 figs.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and clinical usefulness of the lung scintigraphy using {sup 99m}Tc-technegas produced by the evaporation of pertechnetate elution at 2500deg C. Lung images were recorded by the gammacamera-computer system after a few deep inspiration of {sup 99m}Tc-technegas. One healthy volunteer and 32 patients including 10 with lung cancer, 8 with chronic obstructive lung disease, 5 with pulmonary embolism, 2 with interstitial pneumonia, 2 with bronchiectasis and 12 with the other various diseases were studied. Delayed images were taken at more than 1 hour later in one healthy and 13 patients to investigate the interval changes of the intrapulmonary distribution of {sup 99m}Tc-technegas. Obvious difference of radioactive distribution between early and delayed images were observed in only 2/14 cases. Penetration index (P.I.) averaged 0.81{plus minus}0.11 for early images and 0.85{plus minus}0.12 for delayed images. There was no significant difference between P.I. for early and delayed images. More than 97 MBq of {sup 99m}Tc-macroaggregated albumin ({sup 99m}Tc-MAA) were required to obtain the adequate perfusion images after the acquisition of lung images with about 37 MBq of {sup 99m}Tc-technegas. Bronchial deposits of {sup 99m}Tc-technegas were shown in 12/33 cases and pathological defects in 26/32 patients (81.3%). Twenty three of 33 cases also had a perfusionscintigraphy with {sup 99m}Tc-MAA. Ventilation perfusion mismatches were presented in 5/5 patients with pulmonary embolism and 1/10 patients with lung cancer. The safety was confirmed in all cases and clinical usefulness in 30/32 patients (94%). In conclusion, the safety and clinical usefulness of the lung scintigraphy with {sup 99m}Tc-technegas were proven in this study. (author).

Tc-sestamibi myocardial perfusionscintigraphy. After a training process, the networks were used to select the 20 cases in each region that were more likely to have a false clinical interpretation. These cases, together with 20 control cases in which the networks detected no likelihood of false clinical interpretation......, were presented in random order to a group of three experienced physicians for a consensus re-interpretation; no information regarding clinical or neural network interpretations was provided to the re-evaluation panel. RESULTS: The clinical interpretation and the re-evaluation differed in 53 of the 200...

The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) is usually established by a combination of clinical assessment, D-dimer test and imaging with either lung scintigraphy or pulmonary multidetector computed tomography angiography (CTA). Which of the two methods to use in PE diagnostic has not been determined...... and very limited data comparing these modalities are available. With the use of hybrid scanners, ventilation/perfusion-single-photon-emission-tomography (V/Q-SPECT) in combination with low-dose CT without contrast enhancement is feasible and should probably be considered first-line imaging in diagnosing PE....

A 38-year-old woman with end stage renal disease received a living related donor-renal transplant to the right iliac fossa. She developed anuria a week later. Tc-99m MAG 3 renal scintigraphy demonstrated no perfusion, uptake, or excretion of the radioactive tracer from the renal transplant. The expected area of the renal allograft appeared as a photopenic area with increased rim activity. The gallbladder and bowel activities were observed on delayed images at 24 hours. There was no blood flow within the renal artery on renal doppler examination. This case shows total absence of perfusion and function in the infarcted renal transplant with extrarenal excretion of Tc-99m MAG 3 caused by acute renal artery thrombosis

The radiography patterns of the skeleton of 73 patients affected by multiple myeloma (MM) were compared to the correspondent scintigraphic findings. Whole body scans were performed using Tc-diphosphonates 99m (bone scintigraphy). And Tc-microcolloides 99m (bone marrow scintigraphy). The results indicate that: a) radiography is more sensitive and accurate than scintigraphy in detecting typical myeloma-related bone lesions; b) bone scintigraphy is useful in detecting alterations in particular locations-i.e. sternum, ribs, scapulae, etc.-which are difficult to demonstrate by plain X-rays; moreover, the recovery of the fractures can be visualized; c) bone marrow scintigraphy is employed to demonstrate the presence of marrow expasion, of cold/hot spots, and relative marrow uptake, related to phagocytic activity. Since in adult men red marrow is confined to the epiphysis of long bones and to the spine, all the diseases affecting bone marrow cause medullary expansion/reduction, which are both easily detected by specific radiopharmaceuticals. The peripheral expasions is clearly documented especially in distal humeri and femora since marrow uptake is included, in healthy adults, in the axial and proximal appendicular skeleton. In spite of its yielding unique informetion, bone marrow scintigraphy remains an additional technique of bone scan, because of its low diagnoditc accuracy

Introduction: Myocardial perfusionscintigraphy (MPS) is a non-invasive method helpful for evaluating coronary heart disease. In left bundle branch block (LBBB), the myocardial scintigraphy frequently reveals septal abnormalities in the absence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and gives rise to 'false-positive' results in patients (pts) with suspected CAD. The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic role of ECG-gated SPECT in pts with complete LBBB, with and without known CAD. Methods. This study included 46 pts, 29 women (63%), with mean age 63.8 ± 11.6yr, divided into two groups: Group 1 (n=21 pts) with LBBB and CAD angiographically confirmed and Group 2 (n=25 pts) with LBBB and normal coronangiography. All pts underwent MPS at rest and two stress tests - dipyridamole (DIP) and treadmill exercise test (ET) with Bruce protocol. Myocardial perfusion, wall motility and wall thickening were analyzed qualitatively by consensus of two observers in anterior, septal, inferior, lateral and apical myocardial segments. Scores were attributed to: perfusion as normal, reversible or fixed defects; motility as normal, hypokinesia, akinesia or dyskinesia and thickening if present or absent. The left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) was automatically calculated from the ECG-gated SPECT. Results: The comparative analysis between groups 1 and 2 for both stresses (DIP and ET) for the parameters analyzed in the myocardial segments are presented: LVEF at rest, ET and DIP show statistically significant differences between groups 1 and 2 (p<0.0001). Conclusion: In the anterior and septal segments, only septal thickening was capable of differentiating between LBBB with and without CAD, independent of the kind of stress. In the other segments there was no influence of disturbance conduction for the perfusion analysis

121 patients suspected of breast cancer were studied with MIBI- 99m Tc to evaluate the suitability of the mammary scintigraphy in patients with doubtful cancer diagnosis.The results show 93 % sensitivity and 95 % specificity and indicate the usefulness of this procedure to increase the accuracy of the diagnosis

To evaluate dysphagia objectively and quantitatively, and to clarify the effect of neck position and viscosity changes in patients with aspiration and laryngeal penetration. We studied 35 patients with dysphagia and 21 normal controls using videofluoroscopy and scintigraphy. Videofluoroscopy was performed with barium with three different viscosity, and scintigraphy was done with water, yogurt, and steamed egg mixed with Tc-99m tin colloid. If aspiration was found during videofluoroscopic examination, patient's neck position was changed and study repeated. Videofluoroscopy was analyzed qualitatively. We calculated 7 quantitative parameters from scintigraphy. According to the videofluoroscopic findings, we divided patients into 3 subgroups; aspiration, laryngeal penetration, and no-aspiration group. The result of videofluoroscopy revealed that the most common finding was the delay in triggering pharyngeal swallow. Pharyngeal transit time (PTT) and pharyngeal swallowing efficiency (PSE) in patients with aspiration were significantly different from other groups. After neck position change, aspiration could be reduced in all of 7 patients, and laryngeal penetration reduced by about 82%. PTT and PSE were also improved after position change. Aspiration and laryngeal penetration occurred more frequently in thin liquid swallowing than in thin liquid and solid swallowing. PTT and PSE were useful for the evaluation of dysphagia. Aspiration and laryngeal penetration could by reduced when appropriate position assumed. We could decrease the chance of aspiration by changing the patient diet consistency. Scintigraphy might be useful tool to quantitate and follow up these changes

To evaluate dysphagia objectively and quantitatively, and to clarify the effect of neck position and viscosity changes in patients with aspiration and laryngeal penetration. We studied 35 patients with dysphagia and 21 normal controls using videofluoroscopy and scintigraphy. Videofluoroscopy was performed with barium with three different viscosity, and scintigraphy was done with water, yogurt, and steamed egg mixed with Tc-99m tin colloid. If aspiration was found during videofluoroscopic examination, patient's neck position was changed and study repeated. Videofluoroscopy was analyzed qualitatively. We calculated 7 quantitative parameters from scintigraphy. According to the videofluoroscopic findings, we divided patients into 3 subgroups; aspiration, laryngeal penetration, and no-aspiration group. The result of videofluoroscopy revealed that the most common finding was the delay in triggering pharyngeal swallow. Pharyngeal transit time (PTT) and pharyngeal swallowing efficiency (PSE) in patients with aspiration were significantly different from other groups. After neck position change, aspiration could be reduced in all of 7 patients, and laryngeal penetration reduced by about 82%. PTT and PSE were also improved after position change. Aspiration and laryngeal penetration occurred more frequently in thin liquid swallowing than in thin liquid and solid swallowing. PTT and PSE were useful for the evaluation of dysphagia. Aspiration and laryngeal penetration could by reduced when appropriate position assumed. We could decrease the chance of aspiration by changing the patient diet consistency. Scintigraphy might be useful tool to quantitate and follow up these changes.

This atlas was compiled to provide the neophyte as well as the experienced radiologist and the nuclear medicine physician with a reference on normal skeletal scintigraphy as an aid in distinguishing normal variations in skeletal uptake from abnormal findings. Each skeletal scintigraph is labeled, and utilizing an identical scale, a relevant skeletal photograph and radiograph are placed adjacent to the scintigraph

Scintigraphy using a radiolabelled somatostatin analogue (111 In-pentetreotide) is useful in the detection of neuroendocrine tumors. But this radiopharmaceutical accumulates also in solid tumours or in inflammatory diseases such as granulomatosis. We present a case of 111 In-pentetreotide uptake in a tuberculous adenopathy. (author)

Myocardial scintigraphy with thallium-201 has met with good acceptance in cardiology and has proven its value. The method implies only low risk and yields diagnostic results that allow verification or disqualification of suspected myocardial ischemia in those cases where there is only reduced accuracy of the exercise electrocardiogram. (TRV) [de

Separate assessment of respiratory mechanics, gas exchange and pulmonary circulation is essential for the diagnosis and therapy of pulmonary diseases. Due to the global character of the information obtained clinical lung function tests are often not sufficiently specific in the differential diagnosis or have a limited sensitivity in the detection of early pathological changes. The standard procedures of pulmonary imaging are computed tomography (CT) for depiction of the morphology as well as perfusion/ventilation scintigraphy and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for functional assessment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with hyperpolarized gases, O2-enhanced MRI, MRI with fluorinated gases and Fourier decomposition MRI (FD-MRI) are available for assessment of pulmonary ventilation. For assessment of pulmonary perfusion dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), arterial spin labeling (ASL) and FD-MRI can be used. Imaging provides a more precise insight into the pathophysiology of pulmonary function on a regional level. The advantages of MRI are a lack of ionizing radiation, which allows a protective acquisition of dynamic data as well as the high number of available contrasts and therefore accessible lung function parameters. Sufficient clinical data exist only for certain applications of DCE-MRI. For the other techniques, only feasibility studies and case series of different sizes are available. The clinical applicability of hyperpolarized gases is limited for technical reasons. The clinical application of the techniques described, except for DCE-MRI, should be restricted to scientific studies.

Separate assessment of respiratory mechanics, gas exchange and pulmonary circulation is essential for the diagnosis and therapy of pulmonary diseases. Due to the global character of the information obtained clinical lung function tests are often not sufficiently specific in the differential diagnosis or have a limited sensitivity in the detection of early pathological changes. The standard procedures of pulmonary imaging are computed tomography (CT) for depiction of the morphology as well as perfusion/ventilation scintigraphy and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for functional assessment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with hyperpolarized gases, O 2 -enhanced MRI, MRI with fluorinated gases and Fourier decomposition MRI (FD-MRI) are available for assessment of pulmonary ventilation. For assessment of pulmonary perfusion dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), arterial spin labeling (ASL) and FD-MRI can be used. Imaging provides a more precise insight into the pathophysiology of pulmonary function on a regional level. The advantages of MRI are a lack of ionizing radiation, which allows a protective acquisition of dynamic data as well as the high number of available contrasts and therefore accessible lung function parameters. Sufficient clinical data exist only for certain applications of DCE-MRI. For the other techniques, only feasibility studies and case series of different sizes are available. The clinical applicability of hyperpolarized gases is limited for technical reasons. The clinical application of the techniques described, except for DCE-MRI, should be restricted to scientific studies. (orig.) [de

Moyamoya disease is a rare, progressive cerebrovascular disorder caused by intracranial stenosis of the circle of Willis, resulting in successive ischemic events. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) play a major role in diagnosis. The aim of the study was to describe the spectrum of findings on brain SPECT in patients with Moyamoya disease and to compare the findings with other investigations. 99m Tc-ECD SPECT scans of seventeen patients (7 children and 10 adults) were analysed to study the brain perfusion. Features of Moyamoya disease were detected on DSA in 11 patients, CTA in one, MR angiography in one patient. Brain perfusion SPECT analysis showed unilateral perfusion defects in 11 patients, normal perfusion in 2 and bilateral defects in 4 patients. No perfusion defects despite bilateral vascular changes were noted in one patient. Cerebral infarcts were detected on MRI unilaterally in three subjects while multiple infarcts were identified in one. 99m Tc-ECD Brain SPECT showed perfusion defects that were more extensive compared to those detected on MRI. Post acetazolamide studies for assessment of cerebrovascular reserve were done in three patients. Two of them showed good cerebrovascular reserve (>1). Follow-up studies post-surgical procedures (Myo-dura synangiosis) done in two patients showed partial resolution of perfusion defects in the involved areas. Brain perfusionscintigraphy is an important adjunct in evaluation of patients with Moyamoya disease yielding information about the direct end results of the pathology in the vessels and also prognostic information. (author)

Renal transplantation is the most effective mode of renal replacement therapy for correction of renal failure. Renal donors can either be: a. a deceased person - the kidneys being removed when brain death or absence of cerebral cortical function / perfusion is confirmed - the cadaveric kidney is packed in ice and nutrient solution and transplanted within 24 hours of removal ('cold ischemia') ob. a living donor - the donor may or may not be related to the recipient. Due to the limited length of the renal vessels and ureter of the donor kidney, it is implanted close to the bladder of the recipient. The donor vessels are anastomosed to the iliac artery and vein of the recipient. Transplant variants: a. 2 kidneys maybe transplanted because: - an old donor with less kidney reserve from atrophy due to age or disease (e.g. hypertension) - an infant donor when both kidneys are removed en bloc, b. Donor kidneys with more than 1 artery, vein or ureter. c. Donor horse shoe kidney d. Combined renal and pancreas transplant for type I diabetics -a short segment of duodenum transplanted with the pancreas maybe implanted into the bladder. Copyright (2005) The Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of using a technique based on artificial neural networks for quality assurance of image reporting. The networks were used to identify potentially suboptimal or erroneous interpretations of myocardial perfusion scintigrams (MPS......Tc-sestamibi myocardial perfusionscintigraphy. After a training process, the networks were used to select the 20 cases in each region that were more likely to have a false clinical interpretation. These cases, together with 20 control cases in which the networks detected no likelihood of false clinical interpretation...... cases. Forty-six of the 53 cases (87%) came from the group selected by the neural networks, and only seven (13%) were control cases (P

Within recent years, the broad introduction of fast multi-detector computed tomography (CT) systems and the availability of commercial software for perfusion analysis have made cerebral perfusion imaging with CT a practical technique for the clinical environment. The technique is widely available at low cost, accurate and easy to perform. Perfusion CT is particularly applicable to those clinical circumstances where patients already undergo CT for other reasons, including stroke, head injury, subarachnoid haemorrhage and radiotherapy planning. Future technical developments in multi-slice CT systems may diminish the current limitations of limited spatial coverage and radiation burden. CT perfusion imaging on combined PET-CT systems offers new opportunities to improve the evaluation of patients with cerebral ischaemia or tumours by demonstrating the relationship between cerebral blood flow and metabolism. Yet CT is often not perceived as a technique for imaging cerebral perfusion. This article reviews the use of CT for imaging cerebral perfusion, highlighting its advantages and disadvantages and draws comparisons between perfusion CT and magnetic resonance imaging. (orig.)

Modern multislice CT scanners enable multimodal protocols including non-enhanced CT, CT angiography, and CT perfusion. A 64-slice CT scanner provides 4-cm coverage. To cover the whole brain, a 128 - 256-slice scanner is needed. The use of perfusion CT requires an optimized scan protocol in order to reduce exposure to radiation. As compared to non-enhanced CT and CT angiography, the use of CT perfusion increases detection rates of cerebral ischemia, especially small cortical ischemic lesions, while the detection of lacunar and infratentorial stroke lesions remains limited. Perfusion CT enables estimation of collateral flow in acute occlusion of large intra- or extracranial arteries. Currently, no established reliable thresholds are available for determining infarct core and penumbral tissue by CT perfusion. Moreover, perfusion parameters depend on the processing algorithms and the software used for calculation. However, a number of studies point towards a reduction of cerebral blood volume (CBV) below 2 ml/100 g as a critical threshold that identifies infarct core. Large CBV lesions are associated with poor outcome even in the context of recanalization. The extent of early ischemic signs on non-enhanced CT remains the main parameter from CT imaging to guide acute reperfusion treatment. Nevertheless, perfusion CT increases diagnostic and therapeutic certainty in the acute setting. Similar to stroke MRI, perfusion CT enables the identification of tissue at risk of infarction by the mismatch between infarct core and the larger area of critical hypoperfusion. Further insights into the validity of perfusion parameters are expected from ongoing trials of mechanical thrombectomy in stroke.

In this thesis, long-chain radioiodinated free fatty acids ( 123 I-FFA), 16-iodo- 123 I-cis-Δ 9 -hexadecenoic acid ( 123 I-HA) and 17-iodo- 123 I-heptade-canoic acid ( 123 I-Hsup(o)A), were employed for myocardial scintigraphy in patients with coronary artery disease. The results indicate that clearance of 123 I-FFA from the myocardium is dependent on the nature of ischemic injury. Clearance is delayed if the injury is reversible and accelerated in case of irreversible ischemia. Mechanisms responsible for divergent behaviour of FFA in patients with acute myocardial infarction versus patients with angina pectoris are purely speculative. This differential clearance from normally perfused, transiently ischemic and infarcted myocardium has practical application. The test provides a means to assess the nature of ischemic injury rapidly. These findings may have major consequences for logical management of patients presenting with chest pain and suspected coronary artery disease. (Auth.)

We performed 17 intraarterial scintigraphies in six patients with recurrent cervix cancer. With Seldinger method, the agent (four different radiopharmaceuticals) was perfused at the same speed of infusion of anticancer drugs (25 cc/hour) through internal iliac artery. There were four different radiopharmaceuticals; 131 I-Lipiodol, 99m Tc(Technetium)-HSA (Human Serum Albumin), 99m Tc-Sucralfate and 99m Tc-MAA (Macroaggregated Albumin). We evaluate the distribution pattern of radioactivity by the use of ratio of Tumor/Extratumor uptake (T/ET ratio). Our results reveals that 99m Tc-MAA scan showed the highest T/ET ratio and the other were not ideal agents for intraarterial therapy of recurrent cervix cancer. In conclusion, an ideal radioisotope and tracer which can block capillary, for example MAA, should be re-evaluated or produced in order to treat the patient with recurrent cervix cancer.

Background: Exercise stress scintigraphy is a safe procedure widely used for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease. Pharmacologic stress testing is an important alternative. The delayed presentation of ischemic heart disease in women, together with a lower diagnostic accuracy of exercise stress testing in this population, has generated interest in the potential benefits provided by myocardial perfusion imaging tests. Objective: To determine the diagnostic value of myocardial perfusion images with 99m Tc-tetrofosmin in a one day protocol after a pharmacologic stress with dipyridamole in a female population, and the relation with the coronary territories using coronary angiography as a reference technique. Material and Methods: In total, 149 clinical charts of women with suspected ischemic heart disease undergoing myocardial perfusion imaging tests and coronary angiography were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Sensitivity and specificity were 94% (93.47%-94.53%) and 82% (80.94%-83.06%), respectively. Values of sensitivity and specificity according to coronary territories were 71.62% (70.88%-72.36%) and 76% (75.27%-76.73%) for the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, 69.09% (68.11%-70.07%) and 76.84% (76.26%-77.42%) for the left circumflex (LCx) coronary artery, and 87.23% (86.11%-88.36%) and 74.51% (73.97%-75.05%) for the right coronary artery (RCA), respectively. Conclusion: Myocardial perfusionscintigraphy with 99m Tc-tetrofosmin and dipyridamole using a one day stress-rest protocol has high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease in women. (authors) [es

Foetal exposures to environmental and medicinal products have impact on the growth of the foetus (e.g. cigarette smoke) and development of organs (e.g. methylmercury and Thalidomide). Perfusion studies of the human term placenta enable investigation of placental transport of chemical substances...... between the mother and foetus. Dual perfusion of a single cotyledon in the human placenta can contribute to a better understanding of the placental barrier, transport rate and mechanisms of different substances and placental metabolism. The perfusion system has recently been established in Copenhagen...

To assess the left ventricular (LV) function in valvular heart disease, we employed the preoperative dobutamine stress echocardiography and the myocardial scintigraphy. During the past 13 years, 37 of 324 the patients showed LV dysfunction with the % fractional shortening (%FS) of 25% or less in the preoperative echocardiogram. These patients were retrospectively divided into two groups; Group A (n=21): %FS has improved late after operation; Group B (n=16): %FS has deteriorated or LV failure occurred. The mean follow-up period was 84±54 months after valve surgery. No significant differences were observed in the preoperative characteristics and operative variables between these two groups. The dobutamine stress test had been performed in 8 patients in Group A and 9 patients in Group B preoperatively, and the maximum increase ratio of %FS (Δ%FS) was used for assessment. Seven patients in Group A had showed Δ%FS of more than 9%, while all patients in Group B had showed Δ%FS of less than 9%. Myocardial scintigraphy was performed in 11 patients of them, and another 22 patients with %FS of above 25% acted as the control group. The Defect Score, which was defined as the sum of defect scales in 25 LV segments, showed a significant difference between 11 patients with LV dysfunction and control group. The distribution of the Defect Score in each myocardial segment, showed significantly higher in the posterior and inferior LV segments. In addition, the perfusion defect on myocardial imaging was initiated in the junction between the septal and LV free wall, and extended from the posterior to the lateral wall along with deterioration of LV function. In conclusion, preoperative dobutamine stress echocardiography proved to be very useful for prediction of the postoperative LV function, and myocardial scintigraphy might be indicative of LV function even in valvular heart disease. (author)

To assess the left ventricular (LV) function in valvular heart disease, we employed the preoperative dobutamine stress echocardiography and the myocardial scintigraphy. During the past 13 years, 37 of 324 the patients showed LV dysfunction with the % fractional shortening (%FS) of 25% or less in the preoperative echocardiogram. These patients were retrospectively divided into two groups; Group A (n=21): %FS has improved late after operation; Group B (n=16): %FS has deteriorated or LV failure occurred. The mean follow-up period was 84{+-}54 months after valve surgery. No significant differences were observed in the preoperative characteristics and operative variables between these two groups. The dobutamine stress test had been performed in 8 patients in Group A and 9 patients in Group B preoperatively, and the maximum increase ratio of %FS ({delta}%FS) was used for assessment. Seven patients in Group A had showed {delta}%FS of more than 9%, while all patients in Group B had showed {delta}%FS of less than 9%. Myocardial scintigraphy was performed in 11 patients of them, and another 22 patients with %FS of above 25% acted as the control group. The Defect Score, which was defined as the sum of defect scales in 25 LV segments, showed a significant difference between 11 patients with LV dysfunction and control group. The distribution of the Defect Score in each myocardial segment, showed significantly higher in the posterior and inferior LV segments. In addition, the perfusion defect on myocardial imaging was initiated in the junction between the septal and LV free wall, and extended from the posterior to the lateral wall along with deterioration of LV function. In conclusion, preoperative dobutamine stress echocardiography proved to be very useful for prediction of the postoperative LV function, and myocardial scintigraphy might be indicative of LV function even in valvular heart disease. (author)

{sup 123}I-{beta}-methyl-p-iodophenylpentadecanoic acid ({sup 123}I-BMIPP) myocardial scintigraphy was performed in 13 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and compared with {sup 201}Tl myocardial scintigraphy performed within 3 months for evaluating the clinical significance of {sup 123}I-BMIPP myocardial scintigraphy. SPECT images were divided into 13 segments and segmental images were visually scored on a 4 (increased tracer uptake) to 0 (severely decreased tracer uptake) scale according to the tracer uptake. In comparison of {sup 123}I-BMIPP early images and {sup 201}Tl perfusion images, mismatches were seen in about 70% of all segments. The number of segments demonstrating lower myocardial uptake of {sup 123}I-BMIPP was larger than that of {sup 201}Tl. In hypertrophic regions, the tracer uptake of {sup 123}I-BMIPP early images was significantly lower than that of {sup 201}Tl images and the lower uptake of {sup 123}I-BMIPP delayed images was more marked. In non-hypertrophic regions, no significant difference was seen between the tracer uptakes of {sup 123}I-BMIPP early images and {sup 201}Tl images but the tracer uptake of {sup 123}I-BMIPP delayed images was significantly lower than that of {sup 201}Tl images. The mismatch between the tracer uptakes of {sup 123}I-BMIPP images and {sup 201}Tl images was thought to be a reflection of disordered myocardial fatty acid metabolism. 'Washout', the difference between the tracer uptakes of {sup 123}I-BMIPP early images and delayed images was also thought to be a reflection of disordered myocardial fatty acid metabolism. These results suggest that {sup 123}I-BMIPP is a promising radiopharmaceutical for evaluating disordered myocardial fatty acid metabolism in patients with HCM. (author).

123 I-β-methyl-p-iodophenylpentadecanoic acid ( 123 I-BMIPP) myocardial scintigraphy was performed in 13 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and compared with 201 Tl myocardial scintigraphy performed within 3 months for evaluating the clinical significance of 123 I-BMIPP myocardial scintigraphy. SPECT images were divided into 13 segments and segmental images were visually scored on a 4 (increased tracer uptake) to 0 (severely decreased tracer uptake) scale according to the tracer uptake. In comparison of 123 I-BMIPP early images and 201 Tl perfusion images, mismatches were seen in about 70% of all segments. The number of segments demonstrating lower myocardial uptake of 123 I-BMIPP was larger than that of 201 Tl. In hypertrophic regions, the tracer uptake of 123 I-BMIPP early images was significantly lower than that of 201 Tl images and the lower uptake of 123 I-BMIPP delayed images was more marked. In non-hypertrophic regions, no significant difference was seen between the tracer uptakes of 123 I-BMIPP early images and 201 Tl images but the tracer uptake of 123 I-BMIPP delayed images was significantly lower than that of 201 Tl images. The mismatch between the tracer uptakes of 123 I-BMIPP images and 201 Tl images was thought to be a reflection of disordered myocardial fatty acid metabolism. 'Washout', the difference between the tracer uptakes of 123 I-BMIPP early images and delayed images was also thought to be a reflection of disordered myocardial fatty acid metabolism. These results suggest that 123 I-BMIPP is a promising radiopharmaceutical for evaluating disordered myocardial fatty acid metabolism in patients with HCM. (author)

The effect of perfusion on the NMR signal observed in NMR imaging is studied in a phantom and in two isolated perfused canine lungs. It is observed that perfusion in tissue has little effect on longitudinal relaxation times. Transverse relaxation rates are observed to correlate linearly with rates of perfusion, in accordance with a model presented. (author)

Twenty-seven patients with angina pectoris, 24 with postmyocardial infarction angina and 7 with normal coronary arteries were examined by exercise thallium-201 emission computed tomography (SPECT) and planar scintigraphy. Exercise SPECT was compared with the reperfusion imaging obtained approximately 2 to 3 hours after exercise. The sensitivity and specificity of demonstrating involved coronary arteries by identifying the locations of myocardial perfusion defects were 96 and 87% for right coronary artery, 88 and 89% for left anterior descending artery (LAD) and 78 and 100% for left circumflex artery (LC). These figures are higher than those for planar scintigraphy (85 and 87% for right coronary artery, 73 and 89% for LAD and 39 and 100% for LC arteries). In patients with 3-vessel disease, sensitivity of SPECT (100, 88 and 75% for right coronary artery, LAD and LC, respectively) was higher than planar imaging (88, 63 and 31%, respectively), with a significant difference for LC (p less than 0.05). In 1, 2 and 0-vessel disease the sensitivity and specificity of the 2 techniques were comparable. Multivessel disease was more easily identified as multiple coronary involvement than planar imaging with a significant difference in 3-vessel disease (p less than 0.05). In conclusion, stress SPECT provides useful information for the identification of LC lesions in coronary heart disease, including 3-vessel involvement

Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy was performed in 130 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to evaluate right ventricular hypertrophy, and the clinical significance of this method was studied. Tl-201 uptake ratios of the right ventricle, which represents the ratio of total counts of the right ventricle to counts of the administered dose of Tl-201, was higher in COPD, especially in pulmonary emphysema and B type COPD by Burrows classification than in controls. The grade of visualization of the right ventricle by visual assessment (RVV) was marked (+++) in only a few cases and moderate (++) in many cases (more than 80%) in all diseases except bronchial asthma. The incidence of right ventricular hypertrophy by electrocardiogram, right-sided heart failure and marked dyspnea (Hugh-Jones 4[center dot]5) were very low in cases with RVV grade ++ and very high in cases with +++. The grade of RVV was related to the severity of pulmonary perfusion impairment, although in diffuse panbronchiolitis the RVV was relatively slight compared with the impairment of perfusion. May parameters of pulmonary function such as %VC, FEV1.0%, RV/TLC, V25, %DLCO, Raw, [Delta]N[sub 2] and PaO[sub 2] showed abnormal values in patients with RVV grade of (++) or (+++) in all diseases except bronchial asthma. In COPD, Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy seems to be useful for assessment of right ventricular overloading, and for follow-up observation and differentiation between cor pulmonale and right ventricular hypertrophy secondary to cardiac diseases by observing Tl-201 uptake of the lung and left ventricle. (author).

Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy was performed in 130 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to evaluate right ventricular hypertrophy, and the clinical significance of this method was studied. Tl-201 uptake ratios of the right ventricle, which represents the ratio of total counts of the right ventricle to counts of the administered dose of Tl-201, was higher in COPD, especially in pulmonary emphysema and B type COPD by Burrows classification than in controls. The grade of visualization of the right ventricle by visual assessment (RVV) was marked (+++) in only a few cases and moderate (++) in many cases (more than 80%) in all diseases except bronchial asthma. The incidence of right ventricular hypertrophy by electrocardiogram, right-sided heart failure and marked dyspnea (Hugh-Jones 4·5) were very low in cases with RVV grade ++ and very high in cases with +++. The grade of RVV was related to the severity of pulmonary perfusion impairment, although in diffuse panbronchiolitis the RVV was relatively slight compared with the impairment of perfusion. May parameters of pulmonary function such as %VC, FEV1.0%, RV/TLC, V25, %DLCO, Raw, ΔN 2 and PaO 2 showed abnormal values in patients with RVV grade of (++) or (+++) in all diseases except bronchial asthma. In COPD, Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy seems to be useful for assessment of right ventricular overloading, and for follow-up observation and differentiation between cor pulmonale and right ventricular hypertrophy secondary to cardiac diseases by observing Tl-201 uptake of the lung and left ventricle. (author)

The currently available Japanese normal database (NDB) in stress myocardial perfusionscintigraphy recommended by the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine (JSNM-NDB) is created based on the data from exercise tests. The newly developed adenosine normal database (ADS-NDB) remains to be validated for patients undergoing adenosine stress test. We tested whether the diagnostic accuracy of adenosine stress test is improved by the use of ADS-NDB (Kanazawa University). Of 233 consecutive patients undergoing (99m)Tc-MIBI adenosine stress test, 112 patients were tested. The stress/rest myocardial (99m)Tc-MIBI single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images were analyzed by AutoQUANT 7.2 with both ADS-NDB and JSNM-NDB. The summed stress score (SSS) and summed difference score (SDS) were calculated. The agreements of the post-stress defect severity between ADS-NDB and JSNM-NDB were assessed using a weighted kappa statistic. In all patients, mean SSSs of all, right coronary artery (RCA), left anterior descending (LAD), and left circumflex (LCx) territories were significantly lower with ADS-NDB than those with JSNM-NDB. Mean SDSs in all, RCA, and LAD territories were significantly lower with ADS-NDB than those with JSNM-NDB. In 28 patients with significant coronary stenosis, the mean SSS in the RCA territory was significantly lower with ADS-NDB than that with JSNM-NDB. In 84 patients without ischemia, both mean SSSs and SDSs in all, RCA, LAD, and LCx territories were significantly lower with ADS-NDB than those with JSNM-NDB. Weighted kappa values of all patients, patients with significant stenosis, and patients without ischemia were 0.89, 0.83, and 0.92, respectively. Differences were observed between results from ADS-NDB and JSNM-NDB. The diagnostic accuracy of adenosine stress myocardial perfusionscintigraphy may be improved by reducing false-positive results.

Stress thallium-201 ( 201 Tl) myocardial scintigraphy can demonstrate perfusion abnormalities, especially in the septum in patients with complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) even with angiographically normal coronary arteries. Differences in the images between exercise and pharmacological stress 201 Tl myocardial scintigraphy were evaluated in patients with CLBBB and normal coronary arteries. Forty-five patients with CLBBB underwent exercise stress using treadmill or pharmacological (adenosine triphosphate) stress 201 Tl myocardial scintigraphy from October 1997 to February 2003. Patients with myocardial diseases were excluded, such as cardiomyopathy and coronary artery diseases detected by echocardiography and/or cardiac catheterization. The myocardial segment was classified according to the American Heart Association style for coronary artery disease. Peak blood pressure levels and heart rates were significantly higher in the exercise stress group than in the pharmacological stress group (p 201 Tl myocardial scintigraphy according to the stress method. Moreover, defects also occurred in areas other than the septum. Blood pressure and heart rate were involved in the mechanisms of defects in left bundle branch block. (author)

In order to determine the usefulness of nuclear cardiology methods in evaluating infarction size and in predicting subsequent mortality, the infarction size index was calculated and their left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured for 136 patients with acute myocardial infarction, by means of sup(99m)Tc- and /sup 201/Tl-scintigraphy. Sensitivity of sup(99m)Tc-scintigraphy was 84% (of 44 cases). The hot sup(99m)Tc-areas were measured by planimetry only in anterior transmural infarctions. For 15 patients followed for 25 months on the average, hot areas were 13.8 +- 10.8 cm/sup 2/ in survivors and 31.7 +- 18.2 cm/sup 2/ in non-survivors. Both a doughnut pattern and persistent hot area in scintigraphs were signs of poor prognosis. Sensitivity of /sup 201/Tl-scintigraphy was 86% (of 95 cases). The extent of /sup 201/Tl perfusion defects was determined in three views by the average ratio of the length of perfusion defects to that of the left ventricle (LV). Interobserver correlation was high (r = 0.89). As the percent /sup 201/Tl defect index increased, the peak value of creatine phosphokinase, the grade of Peel index, incidence of congestion on initial chest X-ray, and LV aneurysma all gradually increased. In 48 patients followed for 23 months on the average after discharge, the incidence of congestive heart failure and mortality also increased with the larger degree of percent /sup 201/Tl defect index. In particular, the prognosis was poor in patients who had the percent /sup 201/Tl defect index larger than 40%. The LVEF, measured with a computerized multi-crystal gamma camera, was well correlated with that of contrast ventriculography (r = 0.92). The patients who had severe LV dysfunction and the LVEF less than 31% also showed poor prognosis.

Identification of hypoperfused areas in myocardial perfusion single-photon emission tomography studies can be aided by bull's-eye representation of raw counts, lesion extent and lesion severity, the latter two being produced by comparison of the raw bull's-eye data with a normal data base. An artificial intelligence technique which is presently becoming widely popular and which is particularly suitable for pattern recognition is that of artificial neural network. We have studied the ability of feed forward neural networks to extract patterns from bull's-eye data by assessing their capability to predict lesion presence without direct comparison with a normal data base. Studies were undertaken on both simulation data and on real stress-rest data obtained from 410 male patients undergoing routine thallium-201 myocardial perfusionscintigraphy. The ability of trained neural networks to predict lesion presence was quantified by calculating the areas under receiver operating characteristic curves. Figures as high as 0.96 for non-preclassified patient data were obtained, corresponding to an accuracy of 92%. The results demonstrate that neural networks can accurately classify patterns from bull's-eye myocardial perfusion images and detect the presence of hypoperfused areas without the need for comparison with a normal data base. Preliminary work suggests that this technique could be used to study perfusion patterns in the myocardium and their correlation with clinical parameters. (orig.)

22 patients with space occupying lesions in the thoracal region were investigated by computer tomography and by perfusionscintigraphy using SPECT. In order to evaluate the CT images quantitatively, the lung volume was determined using approximation method and compared with the perfusion in the SPECT study. For this, anatomically equivalent transaxial SPECT slices had been coordinated to the CT slices. Between the determined lung volumes and the activity in the ocrresponding layers, a statistically significant correlation was found. It could be shown that the stronger perfusion, frequently observed at the right side of the healthy lung, may be explained by an higher volume of the right pulmonary lobe. Whereas in benign displacing processes the relation activity to volume was similar to the one of the healthy lung, a strongly reduced perfusion together with inconspicuous lung volumes became apparent with malignant tumors. In addition to the great morphological evidence of CT and SPECT studies, additional informations regarding the dignity of displacing processes may be derived from the quantitative evaluation of both methods. (orig.) [de

Thallium-201 tomographic perfusion studies after pharmacologic vasodilation were performed in seven children (aged 2 years 8 months to 8 years 7 months), 3 to 20 months after the acute stage of the disease. In all patients coronary aneurysms were seen on cross-sectional echocardiograms. The scintigrams of six children showed no significant regional reduction of myocardial thallium-201 uptake. These children had remained asymptomatic in the follow-up period after the acute inflammatory stage of Kawasaki disease. Persistent and transient thallium defects were present in one child with acute posterolateral myocardial infarction; obstruction of two coronary vessels supplying the defect zones was confirmed by contrast angiography. After 8 months of treatment a follow-up nuclear scan showed marked reduction in the size of the defect and almost complete abolishment of the ischemic reaction. Thus tomographic thallium-201 perfusionscintigraphy in conjunction with vasodilation stress is useful to assess myocardial perfusion in children with Kawasaki disease and demonstrates marked improvement in regional perfusion after adequate medical therapy

A total of 42 symptomatic patients with coronary artery disease involving two or three vessels were studied using exercise thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy. Qualitative analysis of the images predicted multivessel disease in 75% of the patients with two-vessel disease and in 82% of the patients with three-vessel disease. Quantitative analysis of the size of the perfusion defect indicated that approximately 40% of the left ventricular perimeter showed abnormal perfusion pattern during stress in these patients, and there was no significant difference in the size of the defect in patients with two-vessel disease or three-vessel disease (41 +/- 17% vs 42 +/- 14%, respectively, mean +/- SD). The exercise heart rate, exercise ECG response, and severity of narrowing did not correlate with the size of the perfusion defect. Patients with anterior infarction had larger defects in the distribution of the left anterior descending artery than those without infarction. Collaterals offered partial protection during exercise only when they were not jeopardized. This study confirms the value of qualitative analysis of exercise thallium-201 imaging in predicting multivessel disease, and describes a simple method of assessing the extent of perfusion abnormalities during stress in patients with multivessel disease. The results may be important in patient management and prognosis

In order to establish proper indication of Ga-67 scintigraphy, its actual utilization in our hospital was reviewed. Although a large number of Ga-67 scintigraphy over 500 cases a year had been done, the clinical efficacy was found in limited conditions such as small cell carcinoma of the lung, malignant lymphoma, anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid and abscess. In the other conditions, Ga-67 scintigraphy had little significance clinically and was not effective for seeking metastasis. Based on such situations, we emphasized that the indication of Ga-67 scintigraphy should be more limited under the better understanding of its characteristics.

We examined the cerebral blood flow response to alterations in perfusion pressure mediated through decreases in mean arterial pressure, increases in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, and increases in jugular venous (JV) pressure in 42 pentobarbital anesthetized dogs. Each of these three pressures was independently controlled. Cerebral perfusion pressure was defined as mean arterial pressure minus JV or CSF pressure, depending on which was greater. Mean hemispheric blood flow was measured with the radiolabeled microsphere technique. Despite 30-mm Hg reductions in mean arterial pressure or increases in CSF or JV pressure, CBF did not change as long as the perfusion pressure remained greater than approximately 60 mm Hg. However, whenever perfusion pressure was reduced to an average of 48 mm Hg, cerebral blood flow decreased 27% to 33%. These results demonstrate the capacity of the cerebral vascular bed to respond similarly to changes in the perfusion pressure gradient obtained by decreasing mean arterial pressure, increasing JV pressure or increasing CSF pressure, and thereby support the above definition of cerebral perfusion pressure

Bone scintigraphy of the sacroiliac joints and the lumbar spine was performed in 35 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and 30 control subjects. The scans were evaluated by qualitative and quantitative assessment. The sacroiliac/sacrum ratio (index ISG/sacrum), the sacroiliac/lumbar spine ratio (index ISG/LWS), and the left sacroiliac joint/right sacroiliac joint ratio (index li. ISG/re. ISG) were calculated. The visual interpretation of colour scans proved to be unreliable. The index ISG/sacrum was more sensitive than the index ISG/LWS. The index li. ISG/re. ISG was helpful as an additional criterion. When digital sacroiliac joint scintigraphy is well standardized it can be considered as a useful technique in early diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis. (orig.) [de

The radionuclide bone scan is the cornerstone of skeletal nuclear medicine imaging. Bone scintigraphy is a highly sensitive diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging technique that uses a radiotracer to evaluate the distribution of active bone formation in the skeleton related to malignant and benign disease, as well as physiological processes. The European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) has written and approved these guidelines to promote the use of nuclear medicine procedures of high quality. The present guidelines offer assistance to nuclear medicine practitioners in optimizing the diagnostic procedure and interpreting bone scintigraphy. These guidelines describe the protocols that are currently accepted and used routinely, but do not include all existing procedures. They should therefore not be taken as exclusive of other nuclear medicine modalities that can be used to obtain comparable results. It is important to remember that the resources and facilities available for patient care may vary. (orig.)

Accurate assessment of facial skeletal growth remains a major problem in craniomaxillofacial surgery. Current methods include: (1) comparisons of chronologic age with growth histories of the patient and the family, (2) hand-wrist radiographs compared with a standard, and (3) serial cephalometric radiographs. Uptake of technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate into bone is a reflection of current metabolic activity and blood flow. Therefore, scintigraphy with this radiopharmaceutical might serve as a good method of assessing skeletal growth. Thirty-four patients, ranging in age from 15 months to 22 years, who were undergoing skeletal scintigrams for acute pathologic conditions of the extremities, were used to develop standards of uptake based on age and skeletal maturation. The results indicate that skeletal scintigraphy may be useful in evaluation of mandibular growth

We performed bone scintigraphy on 16 cases of psoriasis to evaluate its possible value in this disease and obtained the following results: 1) Bone scintigraph was abnormal in 15 of 16 cases and the frequent association of arthritis in psoriasis was confirmed. 2) Abnormal uptake on bone scintigraph was noted in various joints including peripheral joints of extremities, sternoclavicular joint, shoulder and rib. Abnormality of sacroiliac joint or ankle was less frequent than previously reported. 3) Findings of bone scintigraph were not necessarily related with clinical symptoms or laboratory data. Abnormal uptake was also noted in many joints whose X-ray examinations were negative. Bone scintigraphy thus seems to be useful in early detection of arthritis and to become an initial therapeutic indicator of arthritis in psoriasis. (author)

The performances of the scintigraphic localization of parathyroid adenoma have improved with the use of technetium-99m radiolabeled tracers and the development of thyroid subtraction methods. By using methoxy--isobutyl-isonitrile (MIB) alone in two phases, sensitivity and specificity are respectively O.85 and 0.92. The interest of scintigraphy compared with ultrasonography is specially marked in the situations encountered in patients with renal failure: hyperplasia, multiple or ectopic adenoma, association with thyroid nodules. However, the localisation of adenoma remains more difficult in renal failure than in primary hyperthyroidism. Scintigraphy seems to be essential for localizing adenoma and eventually hyperplasia, before surgery in patients in bad conditions or before a second operation. (authors). 26 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs

A new method of diagnosis, scintigraphy of the testicles with sup(99m)Tc-pertechnetat is presented. The technique of the study is described, the data are processed. 26 patients with primary hypogonadism (cryptorchism, hypo- and aplasia of the testicles) and adrogenic insufficiency were examined before and after allotransplantation of cadaver testicle on arterial-venous pedicle. The advantages of the method lie in its being highly informative and objective and its low toxicity for a patient. Radionuclide examination makes it possible to determine the disposition, size and type of blood supply as well as the functional ability of testicles of patients with primary hypogonadism. Testicle scintigraphy can be significant while estimating the level of vascular network development and the function of a transplanted testicle, as well as in dynamic observations of a graft

Full Text Available Systemic sclerosis is a rare connective tissue disease, distinctive features of which are fibrosis and microangiopathy. The esophagus is one of the most commonly involved internal organs. Most patients experience dysphagia, difficulties in swallowing and gastro-esophageal reflux. However, in up to one third of cases, the initial onset of esophageal disease may be clinically silent. There are several diagnostic modalities available for assessing both morphological and functional abnormalities of the esophagus. If structural abnormalities are suspected, endoscopy is the method of choice. Functional evaluation is best achieved with manometry. Both endoscopy and manometry are invasive techniques, with low patient acceptance. Barium-contrast study is well tolerated, but qualitative assessment of functional abnormalities is imprecise. Esophageal scintigraphy is an easy, non-invasive, sensitive and specific diagnostic modality. It can detect esophageal dysfunction even in asymptomatic patients. In patients already diagnosed with systemic sclerosis, scintigraphy is useful in evaluating severity and progression of the disease.

The value of 3-phase-scintigraphy in bone lesions of the skull with a new seeking agent 99mTc-2,3-dicarboxypropane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (DPD) is studied. A high soft tissue-bone-ratio of DPD is emphasized. For this reason DPD is used for bone scintigraphy of the skull, because the mass of soft tissue in relation to bone is high and a higher clearance improves the interpretation of the images of the first two phases. An increased tracer uptake is found for skeletal neoplasms (malignant and benign lesions) and for acute osteomyelitis. By contrast, the chronic inflammatory bone lesions showed normal tracer uptake. This new bone seeking agent allows to localize and differentiate tumorous or acute inflammatory lesions and chronic inflammatory bone lesions of the skull

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is one of the main therapy options for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), resulting in an improvement in myocardial perfusion and exercise capacity. Nevertheless, studies have also demonstrated a positive effect of regular exercise training on myocardial perfusion and maximum exercise capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in myocardial stress perfusion after 1 year of exercise training in comparison with the effects of PTCA in patients with CAD. In 66 male patients with angiographically confirmed significant coronary artery stenosis in one target vessel, myocardial perfusionscintigraphy was performed at baseline and 12 months after randomisation into either a physical exercise group or a PTCA group. Circumferential count rate profiles in 16 wall segments were classified according to their relative count rate and localisation within or outside the area supplied by the stenosed vessel. Ischaemic segments showed a significant improvement in myocardial count rate within the target area after 12 months in both the PTCA and the training group (PTCA group: from 76.8±4.9% to 86.6±10.9%, p=0.03; training group: from 74.0±7.3% to 83.7±10.8%, p<0.01). Outside the target area only the training group showed a significant improvement (from 77.7±4.4% to 91.7±4.8%, p<0.01). Our data indicate a significant improvement in stress myocardial perfusion in the training group after 12 months. The ischaemia is reduced not only in the target region of the leading stenosis but also in other ischaemic myocardial areas. In contrast, after PTCA stress perfusion improves only in the initially ischaemic parts of the target area. (orig.)

Operational experience has shown that the mobile scintigraphy sector is not only that where individual doses are highest but also where there are the greatest number of high doses, overdoses and incidents. This fact highlights the need for improvement in the optimisation of radiological protection in the sector. In this context the CSN has adopted and implemented an action plan aimed at reducing doses to operation staff. (Author)

The value of thallium-201 scintigraphy in the differential diagnosis of cold thyroid nodules demonstrated on the thyroid scan with technetium-99m was emphasized. From the clinical results it can be deduced that if a cold nodule is positive with thallium-201 the lesion has a high percentage of being a high risk of malignancy. This information might be quite valuable in selecting patients for operation [fr

There is controversy regarding the role of radiological imaging for urinary tract infection (UTI). The gold standard has been the intravenous pyelogram (IVP). Yet, the IVP has a very limited value with only about 25% of children with pyelonephritis demonstrating abnormalities. Ultrasound (US) has recently been advocated as a replacement for the poorly sensitive and poorly specific IVP. However, comparative studies between US and IVP indicate only an equivalent sensitivity and specificity. Cortical scintigraphy with Technetium-99m glucoheptonate (99mTc GH) or 99mTc dimercaptosuccinic acid (99mTc DMSA) has also been advocated as a means of differentiating parenchymal (pyelonephritis) from nonparenchymal (lower UTI) involvement in UTI. The clinical presentation may be misleading especially in the infant and child in whom an elevated temperature, flank pain, shaking chills, or an elevated sedimentation rate are often lacking. The clinician attempts to localize the site of infection for it has a direct bearing upon the therapy. A collecting system infection can often be eradicated with a single oral dose of an appropriate antibiotic, whereas renal parenchymal involvement requires IV therapy for an extended interval. Cortical scintigraphy can localize the site of infection with a high degree of accuracy. Recent studies report a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 81% of pyelonephritis. This is in contrast to the IVP with a sensitivity of only 24% and US with a sensitivity of only 42%. The scintigraphic appearance of parenchymal infection of the kidney is a spectrum of minimal to gross defects reflecting the degree of histologic involvement that spans from a mild infection to frank abscess. Cortical scintigraphy can be used to monitor the evolution of scarring following infection. Cortical scintigraphy with 99mTc DMSA or 99mTc GH is the method of choice for the initial evaluation of UTI. 37 references